Match Preview

Blues turn their attention this Saturday to the Emirates FA Cup when they entertain Thurlow Nunn Division One North, March Town United. The Hares progressed to this stage with a 2-1 home win over league rivals Norwich United in the extra Preliminary round , the same score defeated Wellingborough Town at home from the United Counties Premier Division in the last round. March are one of the lowest ranked teams left at this stage of the competition, although two levels below Blues in the league pyramid Jim Cooper will ensure his squad do not let complacency play a factor in their approach to the game to ensure a safe passage into the next round.

The Hares are managed by Brett Whaley currently sitting in eleventh place in the North table with 2 wins , a draw and a defeat from their four league games. Unfortunately information on their squad is limited with no player profiles but looking at the Thurlow Nunn league website striker Jack Friend appears to be their leading goalscorer with four goals .

Blues go into the game following a tremendous 2-1 away win at one of the title favourites Heybridge Swifts in the league last Saturday building on their impressive 5-2 cup win against Swifts the previous week. Midweek saw Blues lose 4-1 to Barking in a Velocity Trophy group match , Cooper took the opportunity to rest the majority of his squad with only Rob Bartley and Stan Muguo appearing giving them much needed game time , the rest of the squad made up of youth and reserve players. Goals have been easy to come by at this early stage of the season for Blues with Tony Stokes and Joao Carlos amongst the goals, and Mitch Hahn producing another stunning goal from his repertoire last week.

The stage is set then for an intriguing cup tie with a place in the next round at stake and with it the prize money that is so vital to clubs at this level.