FA CUP & WEEKEND PREVIEW

The Emirates FA Cup is back this week with eight Preliminary Round ties involving our Clubs - albeit though four of those are all-Wessex ties.

AFC Stoneham host Division One promotion hopefuls Newport and should go through, though it will not be easy, and newly promoted Laverstock & Ford host US Portsmouth and could benefit from home advantage. 

Baffins Milton Rovers against Horndean will be a close-run affair with the home side having to come back from a midweek defeat while Fareham, still seeking the scoring threat they posed throughout last season, travel to Blackfield & Langley who have not enjoyed the best of starts to the season so far.

The outstanding tie involving outside “competition” is being played on Friday evening when Sholing entertain AFC Portchester. The home Club probably start as favourites but it could well go either way. 

Cowes Sports welcome Southern League Larkhall Athletic to Westwood Park and will consider themselves in with a chance. The visitors, from near Bath, defeated Follands in the previous round. Moneyfields also have Southern League opposition in Wimborne and have had to reverse the tie to the New Cuthbury but are certainly in with every chance of progress. 

Andover New Street travel to Westbury united who are commencing their first season in the Southern League. Westbury were members of the Western League for some thirty plus years before being moved to the Hellenic League last season where they finished Champions. This leaves Street as the underdogs but the gap may between the Clubs not be quite as big as it looks.

The Cup fixtures have obviously decimated the League Programme with only four games left in the Premier Division. The top two in the admittedly fledgling league table, Bemerton Heath Harlequins and Pagham are both at home. Bemerton, with twelve goals in two games, welcome Hamble Club to Moon Park and may well collect three more points while Pagham, who have scored four in each of their two outings so far, could prove too strong for the improved Hythe & Dibden. 

Brockenhurst, who have been slow to get into their stride, travel to Bournemouth – a sharing of the points a possibility, while Portland, following their hard-earned point last week, will perhaps make things difficult for visitors Christchurch.

Eight matches in Division One with League leaders Andover Town, unbeaten in three – hosting the much improved Totton & Eling. The home side scored seven in midweek and should just have the edge. Second placed Downton went two better on Tuesday with nine goals but have a potentially difficult trip to New Milton and may have to settle for a share of the points. 

Follands will be hopeful of three points when they visit Ash United while Ringwood will be aiming to continue their good start to the season when they host East Cowes Vics, though the Island side have also started the season well.

Hamworthy Recreation, who have amassed six goals in their opening two matches, could add to their tally at Whitchurch with the latter to date also scoring goals but not winning matches.

Millbrook have yet to get off the mark in terms of points and will find Petersfield difficult opposition at Test Park while Fleetlands and Fleet Spurs are also still seeking their first point. Fleetlands travel to Verwood, probably as underdogs on the day, while Fleet Spurs head for Amesbury, who have to pick themselves up after conceding nine in midweek.

But it is still very early days and good luck to all, especially those in the FA Cup.