This is the third, home, cup game of the week and unlike the other two games where we played familiar opponents, we entertain Beaconsfield from the Evo-Stik Southern Premier South.
I do not think we have met Beaconsfield previously, although I do have some vague memory of our meeting in a League game when we were either Leyton-Wingate in the Isthmian League or Waltham Forest when we were moved to the Southern League for a season (mind you all my memories these days tend to be vague)
I am sure that those in the know will be able to correct the details of previous meetings, but, what I do know is that since the early 1990’s, Beaconsfield have progressed from a similar level to us, in Buckinghamshire, to levelling up with or overtaking, more senior clubs around at the time, like Chesham (who are in the same division as them, but, are a few places below them in the table) and Marlow as well as Flackwell Heath and Chalfont St Peter.
The only local side that still holds centre stage is Wycombe Wanders (of course a very well known non-league team in their day) and they beat a club very well known to us, Uxbridge in the previous round.
Last Saturday they suffered a defeat with their opponents, Tiverton Town, down to ten men for all but, five minutes of the game (Tiverton must have been watching us at Felixstowe), but, I am sure they will see this as a great opportunity to progress in the FA Cup and will be favourites today, but, I believe, that’s how we like it.
I am sure that outside observes will see the match with us a potential banana skin for Beaconsfield and that brings me to an interesting point.
Apart from cartoons, I have never seen anyone step on a banana skin, let alone go base over apex when doing so – we must hope that, in football terms at least, Beaconsfield do step on one and do come crashing down to earth.
I spoke in the last programme about the ambition of the club in signing Jerome Sobers in time for the FA Vase and we have continued with another experienced striker in Billy Jones who signs from Grays Athletic, but, has also seen service at Barking/Harlow/Cheshunt and Bowers & Pitsea
Certainly, he can only add to our already impressive fire power and made his debut for us last Wednesday against Ilford and as far as I can see, he was not in the squad for Grays Athletics FA Cup match in the last round, so would be eligible to play today, if selected of course.
Wednesday was not the happiest of games, where we departed our second cup competition of the week, when Ilford scored mid-way through the first half, against the run of play and then caught us on the break late on, after we had enjoyed a spell of dominance in the second half, with Jones and Owusu going close and forcing saves out of the away keeper.
If Beaconsfield came to the club to spy on us that night, I don’t think they will have seen much of interest, as the starting line up, will bear little relation to the one that starts today.
Looking back on the start to the season, you have to say, it has been mixed and has been especially difficult to get into a run of League games, given the number of cup games we have been involved with, but, overall, with one or two “tweeks” to the squad, I think we certinly have the nucleus of a side that can remain in contention in the League and I feel sure that if, players need to be added, then Ryan/Craig & Lee have enough contacts inside the gme to bring in players who will improve the squad overall.
Finally, on a slight tangent, I saw the goal highlights of the Clapton against Woodford, FA Vase game and was amazed at a refereeing decision that definitely effected the game.
With visitors leading 1-0, the home side were awarded a penalty and the Clapton player beat the keeper, the ball hit the post, without the keeper getting a touch and the same Clapton player fired home the rebound.
Incredibly, the referee awarded a goal and even after consulting his linesman, stuck by his decision.
I can only hope that no such, poor decision inflict themselves on the game today and that we can bounce back after two successive defeats to take another step toward the glory of the first round proper in January 2019