Sam’s Section: Gloucestershire sides gear up for Magic of the Cup
It’s time for the second Sam’s Section of the season and this week I look ahead to this weekend’s FA Cup action which boasts two all Gloucestershire ties.
Six Gloucestershire sides take the stage in Saturday’s FA Cup Preliminary Round ties including Slimbridge, Longlevens, Fairford Town, Hartpury University, Lydney Town and Bishops Cleeve.
So let’s delve right into their fixtures:
Fairford Town v Hartpury University (SEM Stadium, Saturday August 17th, 3pm)
The first all Gloucestershire affair is a mouthwatering one as Fairford welcome newcomers, Hartpury University.
Hartpury are enjoying their first ever FA Cup campaign after defeating Combined Counties Football League side, Risborough Rangers 2-0 in their Extra Preliminary Round tie.
And form is looking good for the University team who emphatically eased past Lydney Town 7-0 in the Uhlsport Hellenic League Premier on Tuesday night keeping their third clean sheet in their first four games.
Fairford are looking to advance to the First Qualifying Round for the first time since 2020 and could be in a good position having enjoyed a similar start to their opposition as they remain unbeaten so far this season.
A 7-0 thrashing over Cirencester Town got Fairford’s FA Cup run underway in between wins over Royal Wootton Bassett and Brimscombe & Thrupp and a draw with Mangotsfield United.
Bishops Cleeve v Lydney Town (Kayte Lane, Saturday August 17th, 3pm)
Kayte Lane hosts the second all Gloucestershire tie with two teams whose only wins this season have come in this competition as Southern League side Bishops Cleeve host Hellenic League Lydney.
Cleeve edged past Highworth Town 1-0 in the last round but have since narrowly lost their opening two Southern League Div One South fixtures 1-0 to Bideford and 2-1 at Yate Town.
Lydney cruised into this round with a 5-1 win over Thornbury Town but head into this fixture on the back of a heavy 7-0 defeat to Hartpury on Tuesday night.
History might be on Cleeve’s side as they’ve reached the First Qualifying Round in each of their last three campaigns whereas Lydney have only reached that far just once in their history back in 2018.
Longlevens v Binfield (Saw Mills, Saturday August 17th, 3pm)
Another Gloucestershire side at home is Longlevens, who have encountered a very staggered start to their season with their opening day game against Worcester Raiders being abandoned late on before taking Winslow United to a replay in the last round.
After a 1-1 draw at Saw Mills, Longlevens made the trip Buckinghamshire to take the South Midlands Football League side to extra time before stunningly advancing as 3-1 winners.
Levens face Isthmian League South Central Division One side, Binfield FC, as they bid to reach the First Qualifying Round for only the third time in their history.
Binfield are no strangers, though, having formerly been members of the Hellenic League – although they currently boast a good record over their hosts.
Wallingford Town v Slimbridge (Wallingford Sports Ground, Saturday August 17th, 3pm)
Fancy travelling outside of Gloucestershire for some FA Cup action? Why not travel to South Oxfordshire to follow Slimbridge as they take on Combined Counties Football League side, Wallingford Town.
The Swans have suffered just one defeat in their opening five games and made it to this stage of the competition with a 3-1 win over Malmesbury Victoria which saw young star, Theo Clayson (who currently has five goals in five games) bag a brace.
A win in South Oxfordshire would see the Swans reach the First Qualifying Round for a fifth time in the club’s history.
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READ MORE: Check out this Saturday’s fixtures in and around Gloucestershire right here
