Fa Cup Fixtures 8th January 2011 (Part 1)

Arsenal v Leeds United
Arsenal’s quest for silverware sees them take on the team who knocked Manchester United last year – and came close to doing the same to Tottenham Hotspur.
Aaron Ramsey could make his first appearance of the season as part of Arsenal’s squad.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/jan/07/aaron-ramsey-arsenal-return-leeds
Sanchez Watt has been given permission to play for Leeds against his parent club but he has a head injury.


Blackburn Rovers v Queen’s Park Rangers
QPR get to test out how close they are to being ready for the Premier League.
Jason Brown could be in Blackburn’s squad but I kind of doubt it really. They do have a lot of injury problems but not in goal.

Bolton Wanderers v York City
Bolton are looking like European contenders but York have achieved something just by being here.
Bolton are expected to field a weakened side so Sam Ricketts could be rested. The Press disagree with me though – they think Sam will get a ‘rare start’. Sam has been on the bench once in the last ten matches. Sam knows what it’s like to be a non-league player but he won’t be giving York too much sympathy.
Levi Mackin will both hope to feature for York despite missing training when his baby daughter was born. As York have a fully-fit squad, Danny Parslow is presumably also available but Alex Lawless has signed for Luton Town following a loan spell with the club.

Bristol City v Sheffield Wednesday
There’s definitely some giant-killing potential here although it won’t be giant-killing of the most romantic kind. Still, it’s hardly a fumble in the bushes either.
Several Bristol City players have fitness problems which should increase Lewin Nyatanga, Christian Ribeiro and Brett Pitman’s chances of playing. Gavin Williams has had surgery on a foot injury and is expected to be out for three weeks. Sam Vokes is back at Wolverhampton Wanderers following his not exactly successful loan spell.

FA Cup Fixtures 27th November 2010 (Part 2)

Darlington v York City
At least one non-league side will be in the third round and this local derby is likely to be feisty. But only if it goes ahead. No FA Cup matches called off as yet but this tie looks vulnerable.
Danny Parslow should play for York but Levi Mackin is still on his way back from a knee injuy and Alex Lawless has joined Luton on loan, with a view to a permanent move.

Dover Athletic v Aldershot Town
The Aldershot manager sees the FA Cup as a game to enjoy and make money from. He’s not even worried about losing.
Adam Birchall has already scored nine goals in the FA Cup this season – he’ll be wanting to make it ten at least. He’d love to beat Aldershot and take on former club Arsenal.
Aaron Morris probably has the most chance of starting for Aldershot, with Darren Jones possibly rested. But I don’t know if I’m right.

Hartlepool United v Yeovil Town
This match is looking like one of the most likely to be called off – which won’t be good news for the Yeovil fans, who will probably either be already there or on the way when the announcement is made. Hartlepool are out to enjoy the encounter and see what happens. For Yeovil, it’s a chance to show they’re not as bad as their league match against Bournemouth suggested.
Loanees Shaun MacDonald and Owain Tudur Jones can both play for Yeovil (this will be Owain’s last game) but Gavin Williams doesn’t have permission from parent club Bristol City. Nathan Jones could also be in the squad. Nathan and Rhys Baggridge were part of the Yeovil squad that progressed to the quarter finals of the Somerset Premier Cup.

FA Cup Fixtures 27th November 2010 (Part 1)

AFC Wimbledon v Stevenage
AFC Wimbledon would have played MK Dons if they’d managed to beat Stevenage in the replay – but MK Dons just weren’t good enough.
AFC Wimbledon’s Reece Jones missed out in the last round as he was on loan at Lewes and it looks like he’s still there.

Burton Albion v Chesterfield
The last time these two teams faced one another, Burton got their first away win of the season. In theory, it should be even easier at home.
Tony James could be back in the starting line-up after being dropped to the bench in Burton’s last game – he’s on standby to replace an injured player.
Chesterfield striker Craig Davies will be hoping to add to his goal tally.

Bury v Peterborough United
Bury have already knocked Exeter City out of the Cup. Now they face an off-form Peterborough.
Bury keeper Owain fon Williams, who is on loan from Stockport County, is able to play for Bury in the FA Cup. They’ve actually already cup-tied him so Stockport
Arron Davies should play for Peterborough. Lewin Nyatanga has returned to parent club Bristol City after his loan spell came to an end but he couldn’t have played anyway.

Carlisle United v Tamworth
Tamworth knocked League Two Crewe out but now they’re up against a League One side.
Scott Barrow will hope to play for Tamworth.

Charlton Athletic v Luton Town
Not very long ago (but longer ago than I remember) this was a Premier League tie. Not anymore.
Alex Lawless has joined Luton on loan from York City but he won’t be able to play in this match as he is cup-tied.

Colchester United v Swindon Supermarine
Swindon Supermarine are hoping for another giant-killing after despatching Eastwood Town in the last round. A win for Supermarine could see them facing Swindon Town, who will need a replay against Crawley Town.
Lee Beevers and Lloyd James will hope for a run-out against the non-league side.

FA Cup Results 6th November 2010 (Part 4)

Rotherham United 0-0 York City
Blue Square Premier side York managed to force a replay against League Two local rivals Rotherham.
Mark Bradley missed out for Rotherham due to a hip injury.
Alex Lawless and Danny Parslow both played the full match for York. But Alex won’t be in the replay as he has joined Luton Town on loan. The loan will be made permanent in January.

Rushden & Diamonds 0-1 Yeovil Town
Yeovil have struggled in the league this season but they did enough to progress to the second round of the FA Cup – although there was an element of controversy about their goal.
Nathan Jones played for Yeovil with loanees Shaun MacDonald and Owain Tudur Jones in midfield. Gavin Williams wasn’t given permission to play by his parent club.

Stevenage 0-0 Milton Keynes Dons
Stevenage managed to draw with League One’s MK Dons.
Jermaine Easter wasn’t in MK Dons’ squad, possibly due to his recent illness.

Stockport County 1-1 Peterborough United
Stockport forced a draw aganst League One promotion hopefuls Peterborough.
Anthony Pulis played the full match for Stockport after receiving permission to play from parent club Southampton.
Arron Davies played the full match for Peterborough but Lewin Nyatanga’s parent club Bristol City said he couldn’t play.

Swindon Supermarines 2-1 Eastwood Town
Swindon Supermarines performed a giant-killing to move into the second round at the expense of Eastwood Town. This was their first appearance in the first round of the FA Cup. And their first appearance in the second round isn’t too far away.

Tamworth 2-1 Crewe Alexandra
Tamworth are Saturday’s final giant-killing side after beating Crewe, who have been on a really good run recently.
Scott Barrow played the full match for Tamworth and the defender played a bit part in keeping Tamworth ahead.
Rhys Taylor was in goal for Crewe.

FA Cup Fixtures 6th November 2010 (Part 5)

Rotherham United v York City
Mark Bradley has been playing through a hip injury and is unlikely to play for Rotherham.
Alex Lawless was part of the Forest Green Rovers side who performed an FA Cup giant-killing in the first round three years ago. Who did they beat? Rotherham United. Danny Parslow could also play for York but Levi Mackin is only just back in training after three months out with a knee injury.

Rushden & Diamonds v Yeovil Town
Rushden have sent Aynsley McDonald on loan to Banbury so he won’t play.
Bristol City have not given Gavin Williams permission to play for Yeovil in the FA Cup as they’re hoping other clubs will be interested in him after his loan comes to an end.
but they will have Shaun MacDonald (Swansea City) and Owain Tudur Jones (Norwich City),. Nathan Jones could also play in a match he believes Yeovil are under pressure to win. Maybe there will be a place in the squad for Rhys Baggridge.

Southampton v Shrewsbury Town
Ryan Doble might get into Southampton’s squad against League Two Shrewsbury.
Shrewsbury won’t have Tom Bradshaw due to injury.

Stevenage v Milton Keynes Dons
Jermaine Easter has been on the bench for MK Dons recently but maybe he’ll start this match. And maybe he’ll score.

FA Cup Third Round Results 2nd January Part 4

Stoke City 3-1 York City
York might be on the other side of England from Wales (or it might not be, I know where all the counties are but I’m not so good with towns) but that doesn’t stop them from having England’s highest quota of Welsh players (Swansea have more but they’e not English are they?). And they all had a part to play in this game which started brilliantly but had a predictable end.
BBC Sport originally credited Levi Mackin with the assist for the first goal. Right nationality, wrong player – it was actually Alex Lawless. Danny Parslow became the Wales player I most want to hug after scoring a horrible own goal to put Stoke level but if he hadn’t done it, I’m sure a Stoke player would have done. A double substitution saw Kevin Gall come onto the pitch as Danny left it (a good 41 minutes after his own goal, not including half-time) but technically he didn’t replace him. Levi Mackin might not have got his assist but both he and Luke Graham ensured a mention in this blog by getting a yellow card each.
Ryan Shawcross didn’t play for Stoke after getting his fifth yellow card but Danny Collins played the full match.

Sunderland 3-0 Barrow
The match came to a predictable end but in the absence of a Cupset it at least it offered the opportunity to see Barrow’s three Welsh players. And I did get to see Gareth Jelleyman making both aa ahndball and a good save (the save was with his foot) but the highlights were too short for me to see Simon Spender (who according to the Guardian is “arguably the best right back in non-league football”) and Mike Pearson (who staked his claim to be the best centre back) but they were there the whole tme. Although it was good to find out Mike had completed the match, which he was unable to do in Barrow’s last FA Cup appearance against Middlesbrough.

Torquay United 0-1 Brighton & Hove Albion
Brighton needed a goal to save them from a replay against a League Two side and you’ll never guess who provided it. Yes, it was Andrew Crofts, who has been named as Brighton’s official captain. And I’m sure Craig Davies could have got one a goal too if he’d come off the bench.

FA Cup Third Round Fixtures 2nd January Part 4

Portsmouth v Coventry City
Portsmouth might be floundering at the foot of the Premier League table but then Coventry aren’t that far from the foot of their own league. But on the other hand. Freddy Eastwood – despite being ill at the moment - is on great form for Coventry so if a giant-killing is going to happen anywhere, it could well be in Portsmouth.

Preston North End v Colchester United
After a 5-0 victory over Norwich at the start of the season, Norwich stole Colchester’s manager. But while Norwich are now above Colchester, it’s not by much and Colchester are still pushing for the play-offs. And without Lee Beevers too.
Preston could be without Paul Parry who didn’t train today and will have a fitness test before the match.
Colchester might not want the distraction of a Cup run. But beating the off-form Preston would be proof that they’re in the Championship hunt for real.

Reading v Liverpool
Earlier this week, Simon Church completed his first ninety minutes for Reading for quite a while. He didn’t actually score a goal but maybe he’ll be all warmed up in time for Liverpool’s game and ready to show the former top 4 side that Reading mean business. But I still think Liverpool will win.

Southampton v Luton Town
Southampton are obviously much better than their league form suggests. But then, Luton are at least a whole division better than their league form suggests.
Southampton have been going well lately with young Lloyd James one of their star players. But let’s not forget, Luton beat Scunthorpe United to win the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy Final last season. And Scunthorpe went on to win promotion to the Championship.

Stoke City v York City
This is probably the match with the biggest potential for romance. Stoke are off-form and Ryan Shawcross suspended after picking up his fifth yellow card, leaving only Danny Collins (okay and their other great players) between them and embarrassment - but a win for York would be pretty amazing. But then again, York could have star player Alex Lawless, their captain Danny Parslow, Kevin Gall (who featured in at least three of Yeovil Town’s Magic Moments from 200-2009 – I refuse to say ‘noughties’), loan star Luke Graham from Mansfield and anchorman Levi Mackin in the team.