FA Cup 2/3/4th Dec

[A.M.P]

2 Dec-19:45 Mansfield v Grays Athletic 2.20 3.25 2.80
2 Dec-19:45 Port Vale v Bristol Rovers 1.57 3.40 5.50
3 Dec-15:00 Aldershot v Scunthorpe 3.25 3.25 2.00
3 Dec-15:00 Barnsley v Bradford 2.00 3.25 3.25
3 Dec-15:00 Burton Albion v Burscough 1.61 3.40 5.00
3 Dec-15:00 Cheltenham v Oxford Utd 1.90 3.25 3.50
3 Dec-15:00 Chester v Nottm Forest 2.70 3.20 2.30
3 Dec-15:00 Hartlepool v Tamworth 1.36 4.00 7.50
3 Dec-15:00 Hereford v Stockport 2.20 3.25 2.80
3 Dec-15:00 Nuneaton v Histon 1.83 3.25 3.75
3 Dec-15:00 Oldham v Brentford 2.30 3.20 2.70
3 Dec-15:00 Rushden & D'monds v Leyton Orient 2.62 3.20 2.37
3 Dec-15:00 Shrewsbury v Colchester 2.75 3.25 2.25
3 Dec-15:00 Southend v Milton Keynes Dons 1.72 3.50 4.00
3 Dec-15:00 Stevenage v Northampton 2.70 3.20 2.30
3 Dec-15:00 Torquay v Notts County 2.50 3.20 2.50
3 Dec-15:00 Walsall v Yeovil 1.83 3.25 3.75
3 Dec-15:00 Woking v Northwich 1.83 3.25 3.75
4 Dec-13:05 Worcester City v Huddersfield 6.50 3.75 1.44
4 Dec-14:00 Boston Utd v Doncaster 2.60 3.20 2.40

[mrmuzeman]

I was hoping for 2/1 on Grays, lets go away and see if its available, pleeeeeease

Well 15/8 aint far off but most books arent open yet. I seriously fancy Grays to turn over Mansfield at theirs.

EDIT - StanJames go 2/1 Ill wait til tomorrow to see if anyone else wants to be more generous tho

[mrmuzeman]

My only other thought on the non league scene of the FA cup is that Nuneaton at 11/10 isnt bad. If anyone offered 6/5 id defo be on and maybe even 11/10 as Histon have been a bit dodgy lately. Will have to look into it more tomorrow.

[krider2010]

I'm gonna have to check the forums for any news if Nuneaton are at that price. I think they'll want this much more than they did the Trophy game. They are getting a special shirt for this round and everything with some extra badges on or something Certainly the fans are talking up the 3rd round and seeing it as reachable after initially complaining this wasn't a glamour tie...

[leesidepunter]

Just watching the Doncaster/Aston Villa game at the moment and Doncaster
are putting in a tremendous effort, non stop running, tackling, even though there is only 10 moins to go.
After such a huge effort to-nite, i think Boston must have a great chance at home to Doncaster on Sunday.
Boston @ 6/4 PaddyPowers
Discuss.............

[kompressaur]

Bah im sad to see your call on the Mansfield game Mr M as i like Mansfield in cups usually. Scunthorpe at Aldershot surely? Aldershot have a fine cup tradition though dont they? anyone got any views on that one? Surely Bradford are too large at that price too or am i missing something?

So many questions komp. Well its the FA Cup. Whats the sunday game the bbc show as a wee treat? Wocester? Loads of great games and opportunities i reckon. Brentford at Oldham, Orient and errr thats about it for me.

[Frodo]

Must admit, I don't fancy Aldershot in this one at all. Their defence can get away with being a bit of a mish-mash in the conference because the rest of their team is more than capable. Against a well organised league side with two in-form strikers in Keogh and Sharp for Scunthorpe I think they've got their work cut out. Also Aldershot are (unless they've appealed) likely to be missing their main goal threat with Tim Sills having been sent-off on saturday in the win over Forest Green. Last season Aldershot had a better team and had similar opponents (to Scunthorpe) Hartlepool in the FA Cup the result was a 5-1 thrashing.

I'm also quite keen on Northampton to overcome Stevenage. Despite Stevenage's decent home record the league (7-1-1 at a guess) they lost on saturday to Grays. The key for me could be in defence where Stevenage have club captain Jason Goodliffe and Ronnie Henry (their two best defenders) out. Northampton's defence has tightened up a bit recently and in Andy Kirk they probably still have one of the top 3 strikers in league 2. Stevenage will work incredibly hard and it should be a tight game but I fancy Northampton.

I also know a Stevenage fan who has seen Northampton play this season so will see what he thinks (assuming he's back from holiday).

[kompressaur]

Excellent stuff Frodo. I'm really starting to like the sound of Scunthorpe now and will have a look with interest at them. Northampton i could like so seeing as you said it

Nah i do like them. Local derby aint it? Adds to the cup atmosphere if so. Makes a team get serious.

noticed that the game tomorrow is on stream
Mansfield Town - Grays Athletic (FA Cup)

I'll watch that and see how good this Grays is that you all like. No i wont as i'll be back at work

[Monty]

Interesting and a bit different approach of two sides...

Mansfield...
http://www.mansfieldtoday.co.uk/View...icleID=1272857

IN-FORM hotshot Simon Brown will be having a fitness test before a decision is made about whether to include him in the squad for the visit of top Nationwide Conference side Grays Athletic.
Although he has not yet trained with his teammates since straining his hamstring in the 3-0 loss to Bury, he has been running and undergoing remedial work and is desperate to play.
Mansfield Town boss Peter Shirtliff said he would give the pacy goalscorer every chance to prove his fitness before tomorrow night's FA Cup Second Round match in front of the Sky cameras, but said he would work around the problem if he cannot take to the field.
"Him and Richie Barker had a good partnership but you are not going to keep the same 11 all the time, playing week in and week out and you are going to have opportunities for other people," he said.
And his point was proved on Saturday when a battling Stags managed to overcome the loss of their second highest scorer to record a 2-1 win against League Two strugglers Stockport County.
But despite Stags recent good form, which has seen them pick up 12 points from their last six games, Shirtliff admits his young side may go into tomorrow's game as underdogs.
And he says he is willing to sacrifice a cup run and a possible lucrative tie against Premiership opposition in the next round - if it would mean they could climb the league table.
"It will be a difficult game," he told Chad. "They look a good side and have good players with good league experience.
"They are a progressive outfit who have had a promotion and look like having another one. They are a Conference side but that doesn't necessarily mean they are not up to the standard of League Two.
"It will be a good game for them and will also be a good game for us and I'm looking for a good performance.
"But there is no doubt about it, the league is the priority. Teams are judged over 46 games, not two in the cup. I'd be disappointed if we lose but I'd move straight on to Wrexham on Tuesday."
High-flying Grays have only lost one game this season and Shirtliff warned it would be a tough match despite Mansfield being a division above the visitors.
"They'll be approaching it in a professional manner," he added. "They are full-time and are a professional outfit to all intents and purposes and they will be looking to win it.
"I think motivation shouldn't even come into it tomorrow night, to be honest. We've got a home game in the second round of the FA Cup, which is a fantastic competition and the Sky camera's are here just to add a bit of spice to it."

...and Grays
http://www.thisisthurrock.co.uk/esse...rt/SPORT4.html

GRAYS have had their fair share of massive games over the past year but according to their manager, Mark Stimson, Friday's FA Cup Second Round match at Mansfield is the "biggest match in the club's history."
Forget last season's FA Trophy final win at Villa Park and ignore the game at Southport, which saw them equal the Conference's best ever start to a season, Stimson says the trip to League Two Mansfield, is the highlight of the club's 115-year history.

"I know we had the FA Trophy final last year but this is the biggest game this club has ever been involved in," he said. "The financial implications alone are massive and to think if we get through to the next round we could be drawn with someone like Manchester United."

Blues could earn in excess of £100,000 from tonight's game, which is being shown live on Sky Sports, if you calculate the money made from TV, gate receipts and prize money.

Mansfield are struggling in League Two and sit just five places above Grays in the football ladder but their results have picked up since they installed ex-Sheffield Wednesday player Peter Shirtliff as manager last month.

Stimson said: "They are a league side and have been for years so they have some quality. They'll be fancying their chances as well because they'll be thinking exactly the same as us and looking at drawing a Premiership club in the next round.

"It's going to be a tough game and we are going to have to work very hard but it can be done."

Grays should be able to call on centre back, Stevland Angus, who has missed the last two league games but who has trained throughout the week and he should come in for loanee Nathan Koo-Boothe. Jamie Stuart is still suspended so Lee Matthews is likely to retain his place.

[kompressaur]

aye i think you like Grays Monty. I dunno i really dont.

Mansfield v Grays
Mansfield are waiting to see if on-loan players Jonathan D'Laryea and Allan Russell will be given permission to play in the FA Cup by their clubs.
Gus Uhlenbeek serves the final game of a three match ban and Gareth Jelleyman is available again after suspension.
Grays manager Mark Stimson has a fitness doubt over defender Stev Angus, who is struggling with a groin injury.
The Conference leaders will also be without striker Tony Battersby, who also has a groin injury.

i kinda fancy a few goals in each but that doesnt happen on a friday night does it?

[Monty]

Team News:

The Pirates have a Vale-esque injury nightmare with no fewer than four players facing crucial fitness tests before the game; Craig Disley, Scott Shearer, Robbie Ryan and Aaron Lescott. Winger Ryan Williams has declared himself fit for the game having played 86 minutes in a reserve game last Tuesday night. Thankfully for Vale, on loan midfielder Michael Leary is cup-tied, although that news is tempered by the fact that dangermen Junior Agogo and Richard Walker will be playing for the visitors.

For Port Vale team news is very sketchy. The Sentinel reports that Clayton Fortune has been granted permission to play against Rovers, but BBC Sport is reporting he is out. However, loanees Gary Mulligan and Sam Togwell are definitely not being allowed to play in the cup, while Michael Husbands and Leon Constantine are definites in the team. Nathan Lowndes is likely to replace Mulligan upfront, while BBC Sport is reporting Mickey Bell and Chris Birchall are in contention to return for the Vale. However, news from inside the Vale is that Birchall is still struggling. Until that team sheet is handed in come 7pm I don't think anyone will know exactly what the team is!

[berko]

Does anyone know how s Port Vale doing lately? If they re quite well they should overcome Rovers tonight. Although a win against Barnet, Rovers did not deserve all 3 points last week.

[berko]

I also fancy Northampton agains Stevenage..We have 1.80 odds for +0 AH to Northampton. Last week they really had bad moments against Lincoln. However, Their style of play was so positive..

[Keith]

Originally Posted by berko

Does anyone know how s Port Vale doing lately? If they re quite well they should overcome Rovers tonight. Although a win against Barnet, Rovers did not deserve all 3 points last week.

Welcome Berko and its good to see you getting involved.

I have followed Port Vales fortunes in recent weeks especially since they sold their Captain and Billy Paynter. I did make some dosh when they lost at Chesterfield but I came unstook last week when they won against Southend. That was a good effort considering they also had many injuries as well.

I would expect Vale to win tonight. They have a couple of players returning although some loan signings are ineligible. Also they are keen to make some money from a Cup run as their attendances are less than expected and they are facing financial losses this season as a result

[bromsgrovegreen]

read in the racing post that scunthorpe have got alot of injuries and our local fred done shop has put a 100 quid limit on aldershot at 10-3. would be very tempted but tim sills is suspended, gonna search out some fans forums for more feel. also anyone got any info on torquay v notts county? fancy county if torquay are still in disarray with rosenior on gardening leave?