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Eric Hughes Knockout Cup preview
From the Wiltshire Times, first published Friday 2nd Feb 2007.
WITH only two Premier Division sides remaining in this season's presstoprint sponsored-Eric Hughes Memorial Knockout Cup, the competition is wide open for any of the eight sides left in it to win, although Corsham Centre will take some stopping as they bid to lift the cup for a second time in three seasons.
One thing is for certain this Sunday and that is another Premier Division face elimination from the cup.
Spencer Sports are likely to join the list of Premier Division casualties as they have been drawn away to the Centre and although both teams will be understrength due to injuries for what should be the Centre, having won both of their league meetings this term, are predicted to progress to the last four.
First Division Kingfisher FC were expecting a trip to the Conigre, Melksham, for their cup tie, but instead they have to travel to Box where they will be welcomed by Biddestone White Horse who stunned Third Division stable mates Cooper-Avon last Sunday which set up their clash with Luke Stoneham's Kingfisher side.
If Kingfisher are expecting an easy ride they will have to think again as Biddestone's mix of youth and experience could well help them to spring another surprise. Kingfisher will have to watch out for Tamlyn Goodrich who will pose a threat in front of goal while Biddestone will have to be wary of Marcus Young, who is on fire at the moment and could be the tormentor in chief for his team who are also in with a chance of making it into the semi finals of the WG Parr Trophy.
British Lion OC are the only side from Division Two left in the cup and they will have to be at their best if they are to progress at the expense of First Division leaders Semington Rovers.
The game at Steeple Ashton should be a thriller and may need extra-time to find a winner. British Lion have a 100 per cent record in all competitions, which includes a 2-1 triumph over Rovers who they eliminated from the WG Parr Trophy.
Semington will want to build on their recent success over Potterne FC, while Phil Oliver's Devizes-based British Lion outfit will be sweating on the fitness of Mikey O'Donnell as well as a number of other key players.
The Lion may have roared to victory in the previous battle between the two sides but on this occasion Allan Clarke's Semington side are tipped to make it to the final four.
FC Colerne may still be in both cup competitions but their days in the knockout cup look to be numbered.
Even though they have home advantage over Third Division leaders The Southgate Inn, First Division Colerne will find Southgate a tough nut to crack. If any team from a higher division are to lose out to a side below them it could well be Colerne.
With an average age of over 30, Southgate may not be the youngest side in the league but they are one of the most experienced which is why they have lost only once since they joined the league in 2005 - and that was against last season's beaten cup finalists Biddestone Social who defeated them 3-1 at this stage of proceedings last year For Colerne to advance they need to have all their top players available and they must remain fully focused otherwise Southgate will stroll into the semi-finals.
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