October Newsfile

Newsfile Archive

Typical, the weekend of the second round, dreams of a result followed by a plum draw for round three and I will be away in Wiltshire with no computer to hand. Bad planning mark one, mark two will be in May when I am in Menorca when the play off final is planned. Hopefully we will have gained automatic promotion any way and my hols will be a big party. Dream time over.

Kevin Nugent, Josh Low and Tony Vaughan are the three squad members who missed the bus to Bury today. Nugent has not recovered from the knock that he sustained against Orient and which kept him out of last Fridays win over Chesterfield. Josh Low misses tomorrows game as he was not signed and registed 7 days before the game. Should we progrees any further then Josh is a City player and will be available. Tony Vaughan is cup tied as he is a loan player and Man City will not allow him to play.

The 18 man squad that did travel is as follows.

Hallowrth, Kelly, Faerber, Legg, Ford, Perrett, Eckhardt, Young, Middleton, Boland, Bonner, Brazier, Carpenter, Hill, Fowler, Bowen, Roberts and Hughes.

So a return to the squad for Jamie Hughes. Chris Roberts and Jason Bowen will start up front with Hughes at best getting a seat on the bench. Scott Young or Mike Ford will partner Eckhardt and Perrett in defence. Legg and Faerber at wing backs. Carpenter is likely to keep his central midfield role with one of Boland or Bonner on the bench with the other possibly missing out. Hill and Brazier are most probable to start.

My prediction is, Hallworth, Faerber, Legg, Eckhardt, Perrett, Ford, Brazier, Carpenter, Hill, Bowen, Roberts. On the bench Kelly, Fowler, Boland, Young, Hughes. With Bonner and Middleton missing out. But as I've said before I dont pick the team.

We owe Bury. they beat us 3 - 2 in the league a little while back, its payback time.

If we get a result the draw for the third round of the Cup is on Sunday at 5:45pm. Its live on TV and radio. There will be 63 balls in the hat. Therefore 31 confirmed fixtures and one ball drawn last, that team will have a home tie against the wild card team. After all the 2nd round matches and replays are completed the 20 losing teams will go into a hat themselves. The first team drawn out is reinstated into the competition away from home against team 63 from the original draw.

Obviously we want to earn our place on merit into the third round but like the wild card idea or hate it I will settle for entry through the back door. 20/1 is not bad odds.

Should the tie tomorrow be drawn a replay will be held at Ninian Park on Tuesday 30th November.