With the FA Cup Preliminary Round weekend upon us, it’s time to have a look at how the teams lining up against out East Berkshire sides have fared since the season kicked off.
Four sides are in action at the weekend – you can see the full Preliminary Round draw here – with Bracknell Town, Binfield, Highmoor Ibis and Ascot United all fighting for a place in the first qualifying round.
Here’s the draw for the sides going in to the weekend:
- Bracknell Town v Winchester City
- Binfield v Horndean
- Hamworthy United v Ascot United
- Highmoor Ibis v North Leigh
We’ll start with Evo Stik Southern League Division 1 West side Winchester City who sit a division higher than the Robins. The two sides have met countless times since the turn of the century and will renew acquaintances on Saturday at Larges Lane.
City have played twice in the league so far, winning 4-2 at Shortwood United in their opening game while losing 1-0 at home to Kidlington on Saturday.
@wincityfc 0 – 1 @Kidlington_FC #goalcam #wincityfc pic.twitter.com/3M26uI7teP
— Denplan (@Denplan) August 15, 2017
Wessex Premier side Horndean pulled off something of a surprise when they beat Western League Premier Melksham Town in the Extra Preliminary Round but that’s not to say ‘the Dean’ will be a light test for Binfield.
The Hampshire side are second in the Wessex Premier with three wins and a draw and have conceded just one goal in those matches – their last outing though was a 0-0 draw with Sholing.
If that didn’t sound slightly daunting – right above them are Hamworthy Town by virtue of a one goal difference and opponents Ascot United will have to negotiate not only a 168 mile round trip but a side who have scored nine times in four league games.
The Hammers struggled last season but saw off Bemerton Heath Harlequins 4-1 in the previous round.
Finally to North Leigh who have a solitary point from their two Evo Stik Southern League Division 1 East games this season – a 1-1 draw with Swindon Supermarine on Saturday.
VIDEO: Extended highlights of @SupermarineFC v @NorthLeigh_FC in the @SouthernLeague1https://t.co/Gqvnoqn22f
— Your Sport Swindon (@YSswindon) August 16, 2017
All four ties are 3pm kick offs on Saturday, we’d expect the first qualifying round draw to take place on Monday.
