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So HSBC 2A Buoys learnt their fate after progressing to the 4th round of the League knockout cup after our excellent 6-2 victory at Norfolk Arms on Saturday.
Surprise, surprise it’s another away draw!
Rumour has it that the draw had to be delayed while the Wragg League secretary “warmed up” the number 3 (HSBC) ball so that when it went into the velvet bag the drawer’s were left in no doubt as to who were to be left until last.
However, the details of the draw are as follows:
Hallam Malin / Telecom Sports v Wickersley Old Village
Gawber Road v Telstar
Clowne Town v HSBC Vets
Silkstone United v Stocksbridge PS Vets
So it’s a trip into Derbyshire on Saturday 3rd February, unless Sky Sports intervenes, to meet our opponents from Division 1B.
Saulio was left to rue what might have been. A lucrative home draw may have given the club a vital cash injection and allowed us to buy some new black socks so that we could field four subs if sporting the lucky white kit in the future.
Scouts will be dispatched to watch the opposition in the coming weeks to report back to the camp ahead of the crunch fixture. A full and detailed player by player analysis will be prepared and left in the toilets, to be stolen, ahead of the Old Edwardians league game at the end of this month.
It’s a difficult one to read as Clowne are struggling in the league having just registered 2 victories to date from 11 games. However, they seem to have a resolute defensive unit as the goals against column isn’t too damaging.
However, Clowne have found their feet in the cup. A first round victory over Oughtibridge Cock Inn (3 minutes walk from my home) was followed by a 5-3 victory over high flying Oxspring United also from Division 2B.
In the 3rd round this weekend just gone, they proved to be giant killers turning over the previously unbeaten Bradway Over 35’s on their patch in a 4-2 scoreline.
It's a decent draw for both teams. Both will look at the tie as a winnable and intriguing fixture and the mouth watering prospect of a semi-final appearance for the winners.
As for the remainder of the ties well Gawber v Telstar will probably see the home side progress.
When a date is made for the postponed Hallam v Telecom Sports match it could be a close call. The two sides played out a 2-2 draw earlier in the season. However, Hallam will be fancied having home advantage and then they’ll be up against the current leaders of Division 1B. I still fancy Hallam to make it through to the semis.
The final tie sees Silkstone entertain Stocksbridge. Hard one to call as Silkstone look likely to have their league campaign extended into August with the backlog of fixtures they’re still to play. I’ll go for Stocksbridge, purely as the place as nothing else going for it.
So that will probably mean, with a bit of luck, two Premiership teams and two teams representing Division 2A in the last four.
We are the lowest placed league team still in the competition. However, no one should underestimate the spirit of the Buoys.
Elsewhere, in the Sid Butterworth Trophy HSBC 1st team look to have an excellent chance to bring home some silverware to the Stadio Della Doreo – we all wish them well in their game v The Acorn. However, perhaps if they do get knocked out they might lend their poor siblings their shiny new red kit….
