It is FA Cup week again at Skelmersdale this weekend as FA Cup legends Blyth Spartans visit Stormy Corner on Saturday afternoon (3pm kick-off) for a clash that is no doubt being strongly anticipated by both teams.
This will be the second time in 18 days that the Spartans have travelled to Skelmersdale and if the game is anything like previous encounters it should be a game that typifies the FA Cup genre. The game earlier in the month was a tight 1-0 victory for Skelmersdale, but each team had a player sent off and the destination of the points was in the balance until the final whistle. Last season the teams met three times and generated 17 goals between them and again some sending’s off.
Add into the mix the FA Cup history of the men from Northumberland. In 1978 they came within touching distance of the quarter-final only losing out to Wrexham in front of over 40,000 at Newcastle’s St. James’ Park in a replay after a highly controversial first game, this after they knocked out Stoke City on route. What many people don’t realise is that the famous FA Cup run included a visit to West Lancashire when they beat Burscough in the 1st Round.
One irony on the day, it that of the two players sent off in the game at Stormy Corner earlier in the month, Skelmersdale will have their player Rob Bodie available on Saturday, but Blyth right-back Alex Nicholson will not. That is because Skelmersdale have had a game last night at home to Trafford, in which Bodie will serve his suspension, but Blyth don’t have a midweek game this week, so Nicholson will miss out. There is a flip to this though, as surely a blank midweek will give Blyth a favourable free week to prepare for the match.
Because of Skelmersdale’s midweek game it is impossible to say whether Tommy Lawson’s side have any injury problems ahead of the big day, but there was some good news last week from Physio Michelle Scott’s treatment room, that is that both midfielder Alan Burton and striker Dean Astbury are both back in light training and hopes are high for a joint comeback in around three time.
If there is a result in the FA Cup on Saturday, Skelmersdale will play Belper Town in an Evo-Stik Premier Division match at Stormy Corner on Tuesday night. However, a draw on Saturday will instead mean a long trip up to Northumberland next Tuesday night for a reply.
On Saturday October 4th Skelmersdale are due to travel to Buxton.