It has finally arrived, the first round proper of the FA Cup all kicks off this weekend. The Football league has, at last joined the party and so too have the television cameras.
My latest “Glory Hunt” team, Brackley Town of the National League North take on League 1 side Gillingham at the Priestfield Stadium this Saturday afternoon.
The Saints overcame Beaconsfield of the Southern League Division 1 Central in the 4th Qualifying Round and will be looking to pull off a major shock against a Gillingham side who are struggling for form at the moment. Brackley ran out 5-0 winners against the Rams in the last round, but as I eluded to in my last blog, the Saints didn’t have it all their own way. Four goals in the last 12 minutes or so of this game shows that for the best part of 80 minutes the minnows of Beaconsfield were still in the game at only 1-0 down.
Obviously this cup tie is a much bigger step up, as playing against League sides as a non-league side always will be. Brackley do have a good chance though, as since the victory in the cup they have won their last 2 league games. A 2-0 win at home to Curzon Ashton was followed up by an impressive 3-1 away victory against well supported FC Halifax. The win has moved the Saints up to 7th in the League and only 3 points away from Halifax themselves who sit in 4th place.
Jay Emanuel-Thomas will be looking to avoid a shock against Brackley.
Gillingham, are in comparison, without a win in the whole of October, a month where they have only managed to pick up 2 points, courtesy of back to back draws at home with Walsall and Charlton respectively. The Gills last victory in League 1 was at home to Coventry on the 24th September, where they beat the Sky Blues 2-1 thanks to goals from Max Ehmer and Billy Knott. Gillingham are currently sitting 1 point and 2 places above the drop zone in the League in 19th position, with 17 points. Defending seems to have been a problem for the Kent side as well as they have a -7 goal difference.
Saints manager Kevin Wilkin will be looking at this match as winnable, although the two teams are two clear divisions apart, Brackley, who have been pretty free scoring in all competitions this season will know they have a real threat up front to put the fragile Gills defence under immense pressure on Saturday.
Steve Diggin is the the main threat for the Saints and has been finding the back of the net regularly this season. Diggin scored against FC Halifax in the last league match and his strike partner Lee Ndlovu (not sure if he is any relation) bagged a brace in the same game. In midfield Brackley have the partnership of Glenn Walker and James Armson which appears to be the key to the success they are having this year.
Brackley’s key men James Armson and Steve Diggin
Bradley Dack is a doubt
Gillingham of course can boast a fine selection of seasoned pro’s and young upcoming youngsters, within their ranks. Up front they have the likes of Jay Emanuel-Thomas and Cody McDonald, the former has scored 7 goals this season. In midfield Brackley will need to be at their best to compete with the likes of Billy Knott, Scott Wagstaff and Lee Martin, not to mention the young upcoming Jake Hessenthaler who scored in the last League game against Fleetwood. The likelihood is though that Gillingham will be without their hottest property, Bradley Dack who although nearly back to fitness, would be a surprising selection call from manager Justin Edinburgh considering the importance of the player to the Gills. He may get an appearance from the bench, however the Saints fans will be hoping he doesn’t make the match day squad.
It has the makings of a great game. The cup always throws up a surprise or two. I can see this being very tight but wouldn’t be too shocked if the underdog prevails in this game.
For more pre-match information why not click on the Brackley official website below.
www.00svrh.brackleytownfc.com/
Up the Saints!!
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