Saturday`s Buildbase FA Trophy Preview

A look at the ties involving Southern League clubs.

It`s Buildbase FA Trophy time this weekend for clubs from the Pitching In Southern Football League Division One Central and Division One South.

There are several all-Southern League ties in the Second Qualifying Round draw.

North Leigh, who are currently bottom of Division One Central without a league win, will want to make the most of their hard-earned win at Division One South side Melksham Town on penalties in the last round when they make the trip to the latter`s league rivals Thatcham Town, who are also struggling in the league and without a win in five games.

Cirencester Town, who also edged through on spot-kicks against Division One South rivals Paulton Rovers in the previous round, make the tricky trip to Division One Central outfit Thame United.

John Brough`s Centurians are currently second in the table, with four wins and a loss in their five games, whilst Mark West`s United side have had a mixed start with two wins, a draw and three defeats so far and are playing their first game in the competition this season.

If the tie at Steel Park between Division One Central rivals Corby Town and Halesowen Town is anywhere near as exciting as last Saturday`s 4-3 encounter between the two teams, then the supporters are in for a treat.

Both are tipped to feature in the promotion race at the end of the season and they produced a thriller last weekend which the Steelmen edged in the end after being 3-0 down at half-time!

However, they disappointed manager Gary Mills by not backing that up and losing 2-0 at AFC Dunstable on Tuesday night, whilst the Yeltz were also suffering defeat on the same evening, bowing out of the Emirates FA Cup at Isthmian League North outfit Cambridge City, so boss Paul Smith will want to avoid exiting two cup competitions in a week.

Another Division One Central side, Yaxley, are already through as their opponents, Northern Premier League Division One South East outfit Chasetown, have been forced to pull out due to a Covid-19 outbreak.

There are though five other ties that see Southern League teams up against opposition from the Northern Premier League.

Division One Central side Daventry Town face a tough test at home against a Kidsgrove Athletic outfit who are unbeaten after five league games which four have been won.

Daventry`s league rivals Coleshill Town may have only won once in their five games but will quietly fancy their chances as they make the trek over to the Fens to take on Wisbech Town, who have lost all six league matches to date and sit bottom of the NPL Division One South East table.

Division One South side Evesham Town, who beat Division One Central Biggleswade FC to reach this stage, welcome Carlton Town to the Jubilee Stadium – a team that has won two, drawn two and lost three of their league games so far.

Unbeaten Ilkeston Town, who knocked Premier Division Central side Alvechurch out of the FA Cup on Tuesday, present a very tough test for a Kempston Rovers outfit who have won just the once to date in the league and lost to Thurlow Nunn Leaguers Long Melford in the FA Cup last month.

Bedford Town`s recently appointed manager Gary Setchell will know all about his opponents, Spalding United, as he spent the majority of his playing and managerial career in the area with the likes of Wisbech Town and King`s Lynn.

The Tulips have just lost their boss Lewis Thorogood, who resigned on Monday after nearly a year in charge and 13 months as assistant boss to Matt Easton beforehand and it`s a well-known fact that teams who have caretaker bosses can often be dangerous opponents!

There are also four ties that match Southern League teams with Isthmian League opposition.

Amongst those is arguably one of the ties of the round as Aylesbury United, leaders of Division One Central, host Tilbury, who currently top the Isthmian North table.

The Ducks have won four and lost one of their five league games, whilst the Dockers have won three, drawn three and lost one of their five.

Three of Aylesbury`s league rivals face tough away ties, with Barton Rovers making the long trip down to Brighton to play an Isthmian South East Whitehawk side who were members of the Vanarama National League South just a couple of years ago before successive relegations.

Welwyn Garden City are also in Sussex taking on the Hawks` league rivals Haywards Heath Town, who have yet to record a league win in five games, while Berkhamsted have a much shorter trip to play Isthmian South Central outfit Chertsey Town.

Other all-Southern League ties:

AFC Totton v Frome Town
Bedworth United v St Neots Town
Bideford AFC v Slimbridge
Larkhall Athletic v Barnstaple Town
Mangotsfield United v Cinderford Town
Moneyfields v Basingstoke Town
Sholing v Wantage Town
Willand Rovers v Bristol Manor Farm