Whitstable Town FC

Whitstable Towns Peter Albin looks ahead to the FA CUP games involving KL Clubs..

Just fourteen questions away from a Million!

Incredible to believe but there are only 14 rounds in the FA Cup competition from the ?500 pound prize extra-preliminary to the million pound final in May. Whitstable Town face the first question away from home at the Spectrum Sports Stadium against Guildford City. City are one of four Combined Counties Premier sides playing Kent League teams on Saturday afternoon in what has turned out to be an all Step 5 affair. Marc Seager and the squad should be optimistic about moving forward into the Preliminary round, although they have home advantage Guildford only finished 17th out of 21 teams last season and lost 3-1 away at Merstham last weekend. On paper, at least, an achievable target, just ask the audience!

Also away to CoCo Premier opposition are Deal Town who have been drawn at Ash United, an altogether different prospect as they finished in third spot last year in that league. That said, home advantage didn't help United last year as they drew with and then subsequently lost the replay at Leatherhead in the Preliminary round. Deal went out two rounds later, in the 2nd Qualifying round, at home against Southern League Premier side Hitchin Town. Having a bit of a tradition of cup runs I think the seasiders may come away with a draw and then get a result at home.

Thamesmead travel to Reading Town, both sides collected three points in their respective league games last weekend and will be looking to maintain that winning habit. If the draw had been reversed I would back Mead to win, but I don't believe they travel well and Reading should progress to the next stage.

Croydon are repaying the CoCo Premier's hospitality by hosting Sandhurst Town, like Reading Town above they are mid-tablers and will provide well matched opposition. A convincing home win for Sandhurst last Saturday and another fixture on Wednesday, away against Guildford City, will mean they won't be short of football and although I thought Croydon were worth a draw at the Belmont, this is unlikely to be the game in which to reverse their fortunes.

The Sussex County League Division 1 provide opposition for Erith Town in the guise of Hailsham Town who travel round the M25 to north-west Kent. Difficult to predict the result as Hailsham still have to play their first game (Tuesday 15th v Rye), however, finishing 10th in their league last season indicates they will be well matched against the Dockers and could earn theirselves a replay.

Six other Kent League sides contest the other three Extra Preliminary Round games. Top game will be at Winch's Field as Erith & Belvedere take on Herne Bay.The Deres are sure not to take any prisoners this year and will hang the Blues out to dry in what may prove to be a very physical game, I predict more cards than goals! Lordswood take a trip across the garden of England to Hythe Town. Both winners on Saturday, although not convincingly, both with late goals, they will both be looking to step up a gear. I'd say Hythe will nick it, probably in the last fifteen minutes. The remaining match is Sporting Bengal United v Slade Green. After much hype last season Sporting went out with a whimper, I suspect they could surprise some pundits this season, and may well start their long awaited turn around in this FA Cup match. Green just might narrowly escape with a draw!

Also being played on Saturday are three Kent League Premier matches, Faversham Town host Sevenoaks Town, VCD travel to their ex-landlords Greenwich Borough and Beckenham Town cross the weald to Tunbridge Wells. Wells, Boro' and Faversham also have midweek fixtures which might alter my mind but at present I would expect two home wins, Faversham and Tunbridge and one away, VCD. The pick of the bunch for the independent or casual viewer being at Culverden.

Wherever you are this week enjoy your football and?

Come on you Reds! Peter Albin 7/8/06