2011/12: FA Cup 4th Qualifying Round
Saturday 29 October 2011 (10.30 am)
Circumstances mean that I’m not able to get to a game in the 4th (and last) Qualifying Round of the FA Cup today. What I hope is that I will get to one of the replays, so that my Cup adventure can continue. Consequently as I write I’m left pondering how the teams featured in my Cup journey (to date) will get on later this afternoon.
After their giant-killing victory at Hyde in the last round, Bradford Park Avenue, find themselves drawn away again and travel to Evo-Stik NPL Division One South, Kidsgrove Athletic. Whilst Avenue were being dumped out of the FA Trophy in midweek, Athletic secured a morale boosting 2-1 League win over Sutton Coldfield Town. Despite this, Bradford will fancy their chances against lower league opposition and I’m going for Avenue to advance after a replay.
FC Halifax Town are on their travels again for the 4th Qualifying Round and find themselves away at fellow Blue Square Bet (BSB) North side, Solihull Moors. Moors have been struggling at the wrong end of the table, but gained a morale boasting away win at Nuneaton last Saturday and followed it up with a midweek win over Gloucester. The Shaymen sit half way in the league in what has been a topsy-turvey season to date. The midweek win against Hyde was an excellent one, but Halifax have not been able to put together any kind of unbeaten run this year. On that basis, I’m going with Solihull to win this one in a close game.
Frickley Athletic’s conquerors, Gainsborough Trinity have an away trip to Blue Square Bet Premier side AFC Telford United. Trinity are going well in the BSB North as demonstrated by their midweek 6-1 demolition of Eastwood Town. With Telford at the wrong end of the table, I’m going for Trinity to come through after a replay.
Sunday 30 October 2011 (11.30 am)
So should I give up the day job and turn to predicting scores for a living? First up Bradford Park Avenue. Yesterday, I said I fancied Avenue to go through after a replay. As it turned out, a brace from substitute Jimmy Beadle ensured that the Yorkshire side beat Kidsgrove at the first time of asking.
Secondly Halifax at Solihull. I predicted a close game with Moors to go through. The final score was indeed close, but the 1-0 win went to the Shaymen, through Danny Holland. Halifax could have won it by a larger margin, as they missed two penalties at Damson Park.
Finally I went for Gainsborough Trinity to come through after a replay. A complete disaster of a tip, as their opponents AFC Telford United swept to a 5-0 victory with goals from Pitt (9 & 64 mins), Killock (42 mins)and Sharp (52 & 71 mins).
Congratulations to all those teams who made it through to the FA Cup 1st Round draw today. Commiserations to those teams that I predicted to get through, but didn’t. Bookmakers can rest easy in their beds!