I’ve only ever been to one of these matches when we’ve played a non-league side - Ebbsfleet who enjoy the benefits of having possibly the biggest car park in the country. In fact, its major purpose is to serve Ebbsfleet International (Eurostar) Railway Station. We won that with no thanks to Lawlor who gave them a good start by not being sensible (exactly what it was I can’t remember), but the record shows that we were 2-0 down before coming back and winning 6-2.
Apart from losing 0-1 to Kings Lynn in the dark days of the Schofield Process and 2-3 to Stevenage when we were led by Dismal Dickov - both at home, I don’t recall any recent set-backs at the hands of lowly opposition, so perhaps the chances of getting beaten by a tier 7 club are relatively slim. This is especially so when we are playing rather more enterprising football than we were under those two.
Our Away form may be a viable factor and of course the fact that man for man we must have better quality players is certainly in play. Of course they need to produce performances which justify their ability and if luck comes into it we can’t afford too much of the bad kind.
These occasions are replete with emotion and if there is always a belief that David will get the better of the (relative) Goliath. That makes the overwhelming majority of the audience feel good. If it happens, I suppose we can depart the scene knowing that we are in a sense popular for having participated unsuccessfully. We won’t win any friends by winning will we?
I suppose that predicting a loss (and I’m assuming we will agree that it is the FT score not a result after penalties) would be the consolation forecast, but I’m going for a 3-1 win - Gibson/Ironside/Sharp.
DPL v Kettering Town
posted on 29/11/24
The FA Cup clash between Kettering Town and Doncaster Rovers this Sunday is shaping up to be an intriguing encounter. Doncaster, a League Two team, are clear favorites due to their higher league standing and stronger squad. Bookmakers have significantly shorter odds for a Doncaster win (approximately 1.31), while Kettering, a National League North side, is a longshot with odds around 7.50 to 8.00.
Despite being underdogs, Kettering will have home advantage and are known for their resilience in cup games. They may look to exploit any vulnerabilities in Doncaster’s recent defensive record, which has seen mixed results in the league. A draw or an upset isn't impossible, but Doncaster’s experience should give them the edge.
Predicted scoreline: 2-1 in favor of Doncaster Rovers. Ironside, Molyneaux
I'll stick with AI
posted on 29/11/24
Bring back the puns!
posted on 30/11/24
An AI Overview is not available for this search😂
posted on 30/11/24
Only one real upset today I suppose was Dagenham & Redbridge winning at Wimbledon. However, tomorrow, in addition to Kettering, there are Tamworth, Harborough Town and Solihull Moors trying to upset EFL teams! I hope we do arrive in that "honour roll"!
If we could find our scoring boots (or heads) it could be 4 or 5 for the Rovers, and I'll find out when I wake-up (KO is 04:00 here).
Knowing our slightly fragile state at the moment, I think the best we can hope for is 3-1 as Donaldo predicts, and I will too.
Who to score the first? If he starts, I'll say Clifton. otherwise Molyneux. If neither starts, whoever starts of Sharp and Ironside.
posted on 1/12/24
Kettering 0-3 Rovers
Sharp to score
posted on 1/12/24
2-1 to Rovers. Sharp.
posted on 1/12/24
Not quite as I had imagined, except for the longish spell in the first half when Rovers showed a bit of (relative) class. Subsequently they made something of a descent towards the less sophisticated style of Kettering.
I suppose our goalmouth scrambling could have been blessed with a little more luck, but really we ought not to be operating at that level.
I must give McCann credit for persevering with Sharp because he looked as though he was not really keen on scrapping in the box and yet it was his nimble touch and powerful ground level shooting that brought us the win in the end.
I suppose we might assure Micky that it probably wasn’t worth getting up at 4am and just take satisfaction from the result.
Niall Ranger always looked class in his time at Southend, but he was still getting involved in criminal activity and it ruined his career from the time he was at Newcastle. He would still be a force in L2 and it’s a good job he got tired in the second half.
His performance today might well earn him a beneficial transfer in January.
posted on 2/12/24
Thanks, Donaldo for saying it wasn't worth getting up at 04:00, or as in the RAF we said before "Sparrows f--t".
Anyway, although I can get some BBC videos, by using a VPN that shows I'm in the UK, the Beeb are not fooled by that for live coverage. Tomorrow I maybe able to see "highlights".
Congrats to Crazy for getting it all right.