FA Cup Round 1 – 6th November

Its here, the first round of the FA Cup starts tonight, with three matches on show, as we get ready to hit Saturday, the day where the majority of the FA Cup matches will be played. I will preview the three matches which will be played tonight, as the likes of Huddersfield, Southampton and Notts County, take to the field, as they try and defeat their opponents for a place in Round 2.

Bristol Rovers vs Southampton
Bristol Rovers take on Southampton, in what could be a close affair, between the two League 1 sides tonight. Bristol Rovers made a very good start in the League this season; however over recent weeks dire results have seen them slip down the table. Paul Trollope has decided to send his number one goalkeeper Steve Phillips out on loan to Crewe, as the club purchased Mikkel Andersen from Reading on loan. The Gas will not be able to field, Chris Dickson as his parent club Charlton refused permission for him to play. So the likely front two for Bristol Rovers later today could be, Jo Kuffour and Darryl Duffy, the two players have eight goals between them this season. Bristol Rovers will be tested tonight; and with the poor run that they have been on lately, the Saints could well pick up an away win.

Southampton has been playing well this season, after a point deduction was hauled on them, for the start of the 09/10 season. Alan Pardew’s team has had a very good October, as they stayed unbeaten throughout that month. On the other hand the FA Cup is a lot tougher than the league, and tonight Bristol Rovers could well knock the Saints out, in the first round of the cup. Neal Trotman and Jacob Mellis are ineligible for the game, however Michail Antonio has been given permission from his club Reading, to play in this game. Southampton strike duo of Rickie Lambert and David Connolly, have been both scoring goals in recent weeks. Also Adam Lallana is on form for the Saints, as well as summer signing Dean Hammond. This could go to a replay, however I think Southampton will edge this tie.

Huddersfield v Dag&Red
Huddersfield will surely overshadow Dagenham and Redbridge in tonight’s game; however I just have a feeling that there could well be a shock on the cards. Huddersfield has been impressive in League 1 this season, as they currently sit in 6th place. Over the past month the Terriers have been scoring for fun, as they scored four against Exeter and Leyton Orient. Jordan Rhodes has been an excellent signing for Huddersfield, as he has netted twelve times so far this season, also his strike partner Theo Robinson has scored eight goals in 09/10. Huddersfield do have a couple of injury problems for this evening game, Lee Novak is a doubt, while fellow striker Robbie Simpson is still recovering. Lee Clark has a very big squad, full of talented players, and tonight they could well heap a lot of misery on the Daggers.

Under the guidance of John Still, Dagenham and Redbridge has been very impressive in League 2, as they currently lay in the top three of the fourth division table. Looking at the Daggers results, they have looked a very inconsistent side this season, even though they are third in the league. Dagenham and Redbridge has only been able to clock up two consecutive wins all season on two occasions, however it doesn’t seem that they can put on a winning streak, which is more classier than just two in a row. In both the Carling Cup and the Johnstone Paint Trophy, the Daggers have been comfortably beat by bigger sides, in the names of Cardiff City and Mk Dons. On a positive note they aren’t shy of scoring goals, as strikers Paul Benson and Josh Scott has scored fifteen between them. Dagenham and Redbridge, are capable of pulling off an upset, however Huddersfield will probably be too much of a stronger team for them.

Notts County v Bradford
The all League 2 clash on Friday night sees Notts County take on a decent Bradford side, at Meadow Lane. Notts County are loving life with Sven around, and with a new manager of Hans Backe in charge, maybe they can get promoted into League 1 at the end of May. The Magpies are fourth in the league 2 table; however they are currently five points away from leaders Bournemouth. The FA Cup however is completely different, as minnows give it there all against the big guns. Notts County on the other hand, will not be scared of anyone and the team could well put together a good run in this season FA Cup. Team news for Notts sees, captain Graeme Lee and Lee Hughes ruled out through injury, but Kasper Schmeichal is likely to start in goal this evening. With all the players Notts County have brought in over the summer, this is a cup where they can really show us how well they have improved after last seasons poor 19th place finish.

Bradford City do you remember them? Well the former Premier League club, has fallen down many leagues, and have ended up in League 2, where they currently sit in a mid table place. With Bradford legend Stuart McCall in charge, things at Valley Parade haven’t gone very smoothly over recent seasons. The 09/10 campaign has been all over the place with the Bantams, being mauled by Notts County, being edged out by Crewe in a league game, and suffering a home defeat at the hands of Lincoln City. On the other hand Bradford has been able to pick up some decent wins, as they defeated Cheltenham Town in a 5-4 thriller, aswell as picking up away wins against Rochdale and Shrewsbury. If tonight’s FA Cup tie is anything like when these two clubs met on the opening day of the league season, Bradford fans will just be ashamed of their team. Team news claims that striker Peter Thorne is a doubt for today’s clash, however Lee Bullock and Chris Brandon may return. This is a very difficult first round game for Bradford, as I think Notts County will beat the former Premier League side comfortably.