WEEKEND PREVIEW - SEPT 3

Four FA Cup First Qualifying Round ties to start with this week, with all our four sides drawn against higher ranked opposition. Baffins Milton Rovers get the ball rolling on Friday evening when they entertain Southern League Premier side, Winchester City.

A tough task for Baffins, but a large attendance surely expected. Blackfield & Langley will be hoping that their Cup form rather than League form comes to the fore when they entertain Shepton Mallet who are currently third in the Western League and will provide stiff opposition.

Laverstock & Ford travel to Cinderford, on the Welsh border, and could well be in with a chance. The Southern League South Division side were initially relegated at the end of last season but re-instated after a withdrawal and currently occupy seventeenth place in the table.

AFC Stoneham have a shorter journey, to North Leigh near Witney, and again are not without a chance. The home side, whose ground gives every impression of being in a large estate with the Manor House in the distance, are in the same Division as Cinderford and have not made the best of starts to the Season.

After a seeming non-stop diet of Cup games, there is nearly a full League Programme on Saturday with the two top sides facing stern tests.

Bemerton Heath Harlequins entertain Moneyfields (pictured at New Milton Town in midweek), always difficult opponents, while AFC Portchester travel to Shaftesbury who give little away at home. Christchurch make the short trip to Bournemouth and will be anxious to avenge their recent FA Vase defeat while Pagham will be hoping for three points when Hamble Club come visiting.

Could be anyone’s game at Hythe & Dibden where the free scoring home side face perennial title challengers Horndean, but Brockenhurst could improve their position with a win at US Portsmouth though their hosts enjoyed a good away win in midweek.

Fareham should be too strong for Cowes Sports, who do not travel well at present, at Cams Alders while Portland will be hoping to end a poor run of results when Alresford make the long trip to Dorset.

All the Division One sides will be in action with the top match probably at Downton where Newport are the visitors. Downton have started the season by giving every indication that they will be a force to be reckoned with while Newport, many peoples tip for the Title, have played just two League games to date and have to play catch-up.

Andover Town are unbeaten in the League and will fancy their chances at the improved East Cowes Vics while two of the surprise sides to date, based on last season’s form, are both on the road. Verwood head for Romsey, never easy to beat at home, while Ringwood are at Amesbury who can be generally happy with their season to date.

Petersfield have conceded few goals thus far and should take the points against Whitchurch at Love Lane while Totton & Eling could be too strong for Ash United at Miller Park. Andover New Street, like Newport, have played only two League matches to date and host New Milton at Foxcotte Park and may take the points against a side who do not always travel well.

Follands must be favourites against Fleet Spurs at Hamble but the remaining two matches are difficult to predict.

Fleetlands are finding their feet after a difficult start and host Millbrook while fellow newcomers Hamworthy Recreation, basically in the same position as Fleetlands, entertain Fawley.

As usual, all to play for and good luck to the four Clubs still involved in the FA Cup.

Article Photo: Dave Bodymore