It’s commonplace to dismiss County Cups as an unwanted distraction from pressing league matters.
It is understandable. Once an FA Cup, Trophy or Vase run is out of the way, eyes are firmly on league form and achieving safety or a tilt at promotion.
You could take it to the furthest end of the spectrum and continue to hold a grudge against the organisers and suffer a humiliating, national news-worthy double-figures defeat to a team several divisions below you.
And yes we’re very well aware the Farnborough management and the club’s fans do not care.
But as we head into a week dominated by County Cup fixtures it’s surely impossible not to feel a little bit excited as the Berks & Bucks and Hampshire iterations offer some of the counties smaller sides a tilt and test at ‘the big boys’.
On Monday night Binfield play Vanarama National League Maidenhead United at Hill Farm Lane – a game likely to generate a decent crowd for the Moles. It’s likely not going to be a Maidenhead first XI – the Magpies sadly have withdrawn from the competition the last few seasons – but the last time the sides met it was a competitive fixture that really belied a 4-0 scoreline against Binfield.
Elsewhere, there’s hype around Holyport’s test at home to Bracknell Town. It’s been a few years since the two sides met in the league but it’s an important fixture for manager Adam Hopkins who has links to the Robins and has seen his side off to a flying start in the league.
Meanwhile we mentioned Farnborough, Tadley Calleva were the 14 goal beneficiaries of Boro’s decision to put out a lineup that included their social media manager. That is certainly the Romans gain as they welcome National League Eastleigh to Barlows Park for what is expected to be a well-attended fixture – just a year on from hosting Bournemouth in the same competition.
Perhaps Football in Berkshire is a bit rose-tinted when it comes to the County Cups, looking at the benefits to the smaller clubs playing against sides higher up and among larger crowds. But in this day and age of football when everything is about the league and the cash, isn’t this just a nice thing?
Berks & Bucks County FA Senior Men’s Cup Third Round draw
11th November
- Binfield vs Maidenhead United
- Didcot Town vs Flackwell Heath
12th November
- Beaconsfield Town vs Penn & Tylers Green
- Amersham Town vs Chesham United
- Berks County vs Thatcham Town
- Aylesbury Vale Dynamos vs Marlow
- Holyport vs Bracknell Town
- Windsor & Eton vs Aylesbury United
19th November
- Hungerford Town vs Slough Town
- Ascot United vs Milton United
When do the three Berks & Bucks pro sides enter? And what are the matchday rules?
The Berks & Bucks Football Association have confirmed that all three professional sides affiliated to the County FA are entered in the senior men’s competition. Reading FC, MK Dons and Wycombe Wanderers all have byes until the Quarter Final stage which will take place after the Fourth Round*.
Those will be plumb ties for sides who engage in the competition seriously.
Additionally, a spokesperson from the County FA confirmed that all games go straight to penalties if level at 90 minutes.
*Please note, this article previously suggested the Quarter Finals were after the Third Round. That was an error on our part.
