FA CUP FIRST ROUND REPLAY: PREVIEW & PREDICTIONS

TUESDAY 20th NOVEMBER 2018

BRADFORD CITY v ALDERSHOT TOWN

The beleaguered Bantams can’t seem to buy a win right now although their battling point at promotion chasing Posh must be seen as a step in the right direction. The Shots come into this long trip north on the back of a 4-0 thrashing by non league moneybags outfit Salford & should be easy prey for David Hopkin’s men.
PREDICTION HOME WIN

CHARLTON ATHLETIC v MANSFIELD TOWN

The Addicks should be fresh coming into this replay having not had a game this past weekend unlike the promotion chasing Stags who continued their fine L2 form with victory over Port Vale. The first game between these two at Field Mill was a tight cagey affair & I expect this replay to follow a similar pattern. This one could go all the way to extra time & possibly penalties.
PREDICTION MANSFIELD TO WIN ON PENALTIES

CHELTENHAM TOWN v EBBSFLEET UNITED

The Robins moved out of the L2 relegation places with an emphatic 3-0 win at Notts at the weekend & will be going into this tie with renewed confidence whereas Fleet came away from Boreham Wood with a creditable draw & currently sit in mid table in the National League. The EFL team to progress narrowly.
PREDICTION HOME WIN

CRAWLEY TOWN v SOUTHEND UNITED

John White’s unfortunate own goal gave L2 Crawley a surprise second chance against the Shrimpers in the original tie. Chris Powell’s men are inconsistent at best but I’m tipping them to take this tie against a mid-table L2 Crawley side who have lost their last three league games.
PREDICTION AWAY WIN

DONCASTER ROVERS v CHORLEY

The Magpies warmed up for this tie by hammering Kidderminster 4-0 at their Aggborough ground to maintain their National League North promotion challenge & will not be easy opposition for L1 Donny who grabbed their first win in six with an unconvincing 2-1 win over Wimbledon on Saturday. I think they’ll be goals with the EFL side narrowly winning.
PREDICTION HOME WIN

FC HALIFAX TOWN v MORECAMBE

The mid table National League Shaymen will fancy their chances of a minor upset when Jim Bentley’s struggling Morecambe come to town for this replay. Staying in the EFL has to be Morecambe’s priority this season so I expect the Shaymen to progress.
PREDICTION HOME WIN

FOREST GREEN ROVERS v OXFORD UNITED

FGR’s L2  promotion push seems to have stalled slightly losing their last two in the league including Saturday’s shock defeat at the hands of struggling Morecambe. Oxford on the other hand have improved considerably & are on a five game unbeaten run which has lifted them out of L1’s bottom four with a 1-0 victory over fellow strugglers Gillingham their latest triumph. This is another tie that could go the full 120 minutes but I expect the U’s to go through.
PREDICTION AWAY WIN

OXFORD CITY v TRANMERE ROVERS

Inconsistent NL South outfit City produced one of the most memorable First Round performances when holding (& nearly beating) L2 play off chasing Rovers in a pulsating 3-3 draw at Prenton Park but I fear this is where it will end for the non-leaguers.
PREDICTION AWAY WIN

WEDNESDAY 21st NOVEMBER 2018

BRISTOL ROVERS v BARNET

Darrell Clarke’s relegation threatened Gas could do with a good Cup run if only to instill some belief into his underperforming team. Barnet have found life back in the National League far from easy after the pain of EFL relegation last season & will return to London disappointed here.
PREDICTION HOME WIN

HARTLEPOOL UNITED v GILLINGHAM

Steve Lovell’s L1 strugglers won’t be relishing the long trip north to face Matthew Bates’ mid table National League Monkey Hangers who will enjoy welcoming EFL opposition to Victoria Park again.
A surprise win for the NL side methinks!!
PREDICTION HOME WIN

SALFORD CITY v SHREWSBURY TOWN

The Ammies are non-league in name only boasting a playing budget that is the envy of most clubs in the bottom two tiers of the EFL. Caretaker manager Danny Coyne is doing a creditable job over at the new Meadow steadily steering the club away from the relegation places in L1 & I believe his team will have enough EFL nous for Graham Alexander’s NL high flyers.

PREDICTION AWAY WIN