This weekend sees the return of the FA Cup as we reach the 2nd round, meaning that we are within touching distance of the 3rd round and the opportunity of a non-league club taking on a Premier League giant.
Brackley Town have been flying so far in this competition and have already seen off league opposition in the last round in the shape of League 1 Gillingham. This Saturday the Saints will be looking to pull off another upset as they take on League 2 side and former Cup winners Blackpool at Bloomfield Road.
It is going to be a big ask for the National league North side, who come into this game on the back of victories against Harrogate Town in the league and a replayed win in the FA Trophy against Mickleover Sports. Brackley currently sit 8th in the league a position they have held for quite some time this season. Despite good form in the League and an unbeaten run in all competitions that stretches back to the 13th of September, their Cup exploits has meant they have not been able to gain ground on the other title contenders. The Saints have 3 games in hand over 2nd place Chorley and 2 games in hand on top team AFC Fylde. Despite this, Saints are only 7 points behind second spot and only a further 4 points away from the summit of the table.
Confidence must be at an all time high at the moment for Kevin Wilkin and his boys. The win over Gillingham and the manner in which it was achieved deserves much more praise than it seems to be getting. Although the Gills were struggling in League 1, for a National league side to dominate as they did in both games and not falter despite being pegged back twice and forced to extra time, shows that this team have all the right attributes to go even further in this competition, whilst continuing to battle it out for promotion to the National league in the process. 
I have nothing but praise for Brackley and hope they continue to defy all the odds in both the League and both cup competitions they are competing so well in this season. The least this team deserves is a plum tie in the 3rd round, a big day out for their fans and a financial reward that would do so much to aid their title aspirations as they continue their journey through 2017.
Lets be honest for smaller clubs like Brackley a big day out at a Premier League side could mean a new player, better training facilities or just the peace of mind of not having to sell your best players for another season.
As I said though, having to go to Blackpool and get a result is going to be a huge task.
The Tangerines were relegated from the Premier League back in 2011, they managed to make the Championship play-off final in 2012, where they lost 2-1 to West Ham, since then however, Blackpool have been in freefall, dropping down the Leagues year by year before finally reaching League 2. This season Gary Bowyer’s team seem to have stopped the rot and are sitting handily in 7th in the table.
The Seasiders come into Saturday’s game after winning at the weekend 4-1 at home to Newport County. Former Peterborough forward and Dagenham and Redbridge loanee Kyle Vassell leads the goalscoring charts for Pool this season with 11 goals so far. With the likes of Danny Pugh, Jack Payne and Brad Potts in the midfield, Brackley are going to have their work cut out to contain them and this could be the area where the game is won and lost.
It promises to be a really good game and a very close one. Hopefully the underdogs can continue to shock and put themselves in the hat for a chance of a big prize in the next round.
If the Saints can get a draw at Bloomfield Road then I fancy them to turn Blackpool over back at St James Park.
Again a lot will depend on James Armson. The hat-trick hero from the last round is likely to be the talisman again, although Shane Byrne and Steve Diggin may also have a big say in how this tie ends up going.
Come on Brackley, let’s go one more round.
Up the Saints!!
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