Trophy Time

Whilst we have a full programme of Premier Division fixtures, the rest of our normal features are taking a break as many of our clubs join the Wembley trail today, as the Extra-Preliminary Round of the FA Trophy kicks off. Here are the matches to watch out for, in order of the alphabet, not importance!

We have a number of all-Isthmian ties, and we start at Larges Lane, where highly-fancied Bracknell Town take on highly-fancied Coggeshall Town. Neither side have quite had the start to the season they might have expected- although it isn’t as if seventh v fourth is a disaster- but both come into this match on the back of crushing Velocity Trophy wins in midweek.

Another South Central side, Chalfont St Peter, have had an impressive start to their campaign, and they welcome South East Whitstable Town, who would be much better off if they were able to turn draws into victories.

Chichester City play their first ever FA Trophy match at home to Three Bridges. The hosts will be looking for some speedy revenge, as it’s only eleven days since Bridges arrived in the cathedral city and left with three points after a 1-0 league win.

Dereham Town don’t have the points, nor the victories, that would reflect their form so far this season. The Magpies host Halesowen Town- and they should expect a test, as their visitors are in third place in Southern Division One Central and have won three of their last four.

Faversham Town host Chertsey Town. The last time the visitors started out in a National cup competition for non-league clubs they ended up at Wembley lifting the trophy. Can they do so again? Well it’ll be something of a challenge, but they travel to Kent with three straight wins under their belts. Faversham, by contrast, have lost their last two league matches, although they did draw with Ramsgate in the Velocity Trophy in midweek before losing the shootout.

Two of our South Central high-flyers meet as Harlow Town host Hanwell Town. When the two met in the league back in August it was the Geordies who took the plaudits, but it was close. The Hawks will be out for revenge.

Heybridge Swifts host Hertford Town. Swifts have blown hot and cold this season, but their visitors have just blown cold, without a victory since August Bank Holiday Monday. The hosts are undefeated- apart from in a penalty shootout- in five matches, although three of those were in the Velocity Trophy.

Hullbridge Sports host Barton Rovers- and they should be confident, having lost only one of their last six. Rovers are in midtable in Southern Division One Central, but have only one win in four, so perhaps Sports might have the edge?

Bury Town travel to Lincoln, where they take on Northern South East Division One side Lincoln United. The hosts walloped Sheffield 5-1 on Monday night, but Town won’t be worried as they haven’t lost a match since August 24th- and that’s the only match they’ve lost all season.

Maldon & Tiptree haven’t lost a match at all- and indeed they haven’t even drawn one, they’ve won the lot! The Jammers will host a Felixstowe and Walton United side who they’ll know a great deal about, given they defeated them in the Velocity Trophy on Tuesday night.

We’ve an all South-East clash between Ramsgate and Haywards Heath Town- twentieth v ninth. The only victories the Rams have recorded this season have come in cup competitions, so they’ll be hopeful of another, whilst Heath have been on a bit of a slump, without a win since August 24th, so will be desperate to put that right today.

Finally, Canvey Island- cup heroes in midweek- travel to Welwyn Garden City for the first time ever today. City are in fifth place in Southern Division One Central and have won three of their last four in all competitions, whilst the Gulls hadn’t won in three prior to that midweek match but will be buoyant after knocking out higher league opposition in midweek.

We also have one game in the North Division, one in the South Central Division, and a collection of Velocity Trophy fixtures. We’ll bring you a round up in the morning. Find the full fixture list here.