You would have thought with seven goals to keep us occupied this game would have been a cracker. Some very good goals were scored, well, the executions were good but the defending left a little to be desired and the general play was somewhat bitty and more even than the scoreline suggests.

However, before all that we had a task. It was 6:30pm ish and we had about 70 minutes to visit the famous four pubs of Brentford, one at each corner of the ground. First up, the South West corner. The Griffin. All four realfacupsters were present and the first post-work beer slipped down effortlessly. Nice boozer, very tidy, more of a locals chill pub than a football boozer. Well kept booze too, in fact the nicest Pride I’ve had in a while.

A mere ten minutes later and on our way to pub two some charity chuggers asked for our pennies. The fella chugger said the lady chugger would kiss for a quid. We declined. Next pub, the Princess Royal, was less salubrious and devoid of tables and chairs but replete with more hardy locals (replica shirted), vibrating floor (no idea why), cockle basket man (excellent) and toilet man, urinal-side with trousers and pants round ankles (not a good look). The chuggers entered but no kisses were offered in here.

Third pub was the New Inn, another nice pub but somewhere between the Griffin and Princess Royal in style, had a big screen or two dotted around but was a cosy old pub. We flicked through a heavily thumbed copy of Frank McAvennie’s autobiography on the dresser (yes, the dresser) as we all made the unwise choice of Directors. Bit much for a swift pint but swift it was.

It was now pushing 7:40 so we cheated with a half in the Royal Oak, which was probably wise given the dreadful beer choice and the lurking rozzers. Grotty boozer

We got in just as the match was kicking off. In the first few minutes, Gateshead settled well and forced two corners, one after a Daryl Clare shot that was tipped away unconvincingly by the Bees ‘keeper Lewis Price. For the first half an hour, very little goal action came at either end but the visitors looked fractionally more likely to break the deadlock. The best moments of the game so far, however, were a beautifully timed tackle in the box from Gateshead’s Craig Baxter and a superb block from Williams.

The natives were getting very restless by this point and some audible rumblings and shouts were emanating from Brentford’s three sparsely occupied stands. Whether this served to ignite Brentford or not it’s difficult to say ut they did start to have more of the possession. On 42 minutes they then took the lead, somewhat fortuitously, when a spot of pinball in the box saw Ben Strevens force the ball over the line at the back stick.

Brentford are not having a great season thus far but the hand gestures and fury that was directed at the Gateshead fans when Brentford broke the deadlock, was somewhat odd and uinnecessary. What went on in the first game to spark that? It was only a small section of Brentford fans but why they couldn’t just celebrate going in front is beyond us.

Three minutes later and the game was effectively over. A long but very accurate ball out of Brentford’s defence found Cleveland Taylor wide on the right. Taylor stood up the kind of cross that screams ‘HEAD ME’ and Charlie MacDonald duly did. 2-0. It was tough not just on the Gateshead team generally but primarily Paul Farman in the Heed’s goal, who had marshalled and cajoled his team mates through an otherwise very satisfactory 45 minutes

Half time saw the landmark introduction of Bovril to the season. This means that winter is officially here. This was good, indeed significantly better than the high price low content meat products that several of us sampled.

The teams came back out, the Brentford players sprinted over to the touchline in front of the away fans and proceded to warm up by doing frantic shuttle runs up and down a line painted stand-side of the pitch. What the fuck? We were a bit bemused by this, it smacked of intimidation or cod-psychology but just ended up looking very camp. If it was intended to generate some response from the away fans it did, hysterical laughter. Why not do it down the side in front of the Brentford fans, surely it would gee them up more

After a disallowed Brentford strike, a long ball over the top caught out the Bees backline and Graeme Armstrong had enough pace to get to it and keep the defenders at bay. He arrowed the ball past Price and Gateshead were back in it. Our collective half time thoughts that the next goal would change the game had possibly come to pass.

This proved wrong. Marcus bean sliced through the Gateshead midfield and slipped a pass through the defence to MacDonald who slipped the ball past Farman. Game over this time, surely.

Even after the goal Brentford didn’t look convincing at the back or with the more defensive duties of the midfield. Gateshead had a fair amount of possession without creating too many chances but when Brentford broke they broke with pace and with unerring accuracy. By 75 minutes Brentford were, deceptively, 5-1 up and Gateshead were looking at a hiding.

Armstrong scored a second, identical to his first, with 10 minutes left but it was too little too late and Brentford played out the remainder of the game looking dangerous every time they went forward. 5-2.

On the night, stewards outnumbered away fans, not that there was a particular dearth of away fans, just a glut of stewards. The most amusing steward had the difficult task of monitoring the shut and empty half of the bottom tier of the away stand. He kept casting admiring and provocative glances to the occupied half, as if willing someone to breach the barrier and enter his domain. At least he smiled.

To the absent, the scoreline suggested a fantastic game. It was OK but Brentford shone mainly on the break and mostly when the pressure was off. The visitors lived with and even bettered their League 1 opposition for the first 40 minutes or so but then two quick goals before half time effectively ended the tie. Brentford’s confidence boosted, they upped their game and looked a more assured outfit but they were really just picking off a team pushing up to get a goal back. Gateshead were solid until goal 1, played some decent football but, ultimately, were two leagues lower than the Bees and the end product illustrated that. A side nearer the top of Blue Square Premier may well have given Brentford more of game.

More obvious though was the atmosphere and the clear aura that we were now in the big leagues. The league crowd were more tribal, the stewarding over-zealous and the second half warm up was just crass and classless. I can only assume Andy Scott is a disciple of the Adie Boothroyd school of management, in which case, his current standing in the up-and-coming manager pecking order may be fairly short lived.

There were signs of life lower down and the serious attempts here to aspire to a higher league were belied by the half time chalk-board draw and sparse terraces. The FA Cup is heading towards the upper echelons so it will soon by time to go back in our nice warm lower league hutch.

Only the third least offensive match this round, according to voters in our poll for Round One ‘Proper’ of the FA Cup. In aesthetic terms, however, this should have been the winner. Weeping willows, dreaming spires, the smack of leather on willow and the wake of a million oars on the Cam.

First port of call, a functional footy pub on a main road, we could have been in any provincial town. Paulton Rovers 0 Norwich City 3 when we left. Second port, after crossing the wrong bridge, the Green Dragon, a fine establishment. Busy too. A riverside venue, ducks, boats, tourists … and a more ‘English’ pre-match setting you’d struggle to find, it would only have been more English if we’d been off to watch cricket or whichever blue hue is popular on the river in this part of Oxbridge.

“We’re not going to win the FA Cup but it’s a chance to make some money and give the fans and the players the feel-good factor, and we’ll be doing our best to get into the second round” said Cambridge manager Martin Ling. Ilkeston aren’t going to win it either and we’re not sure what manager Kevin Wilson thinks about it. However, his week was interrupted by the sad death of his father. As an Ipswich fan, who remembers Kev fondly, my heart and condolences go out to him. FA Cup or not, reality cuts through, it’s just a game.

It’s just a game but it is still a game and that game needed to be played and both sets of fans were up for it. Ilkeston fans were thin on the ground, surprisingly, we thought, but their drummer was highly active and had his top off in the East Anglian sunshine.

It’s just a game but, for the first time this season, our photography was compromised. “No photos during the game” said the steward. “Eh?” we replied. “Only pre-match, half time and after the game”, he qualified. Is this a legacy of a recent league side? Are these the simple restrictions fans can expect from now on in? The spectre of IP rights looms. We kind of thought this might happen but IT IS JUST CAMBRIDGE, this is not the Emirates, and it’s not as if we’re making money out of this. Thankfully, an anonymous, kindly dark lord of photography was present and provided us with a few match shots. The luck!

Cambridge Utd 1 Ilkeston 0

Sloppy goal. A few shots came in and were blocked, the ball broke loose and alleged Norwich target Chris Holroyd (below, right) was by far the quickest to react and tucked the ball home. As far as the tie, as a contest, was concerned this was probably the worst start possible. The Blue Square North side then had to come out and seek a goal.

Ilkeston huffed and puffed, they got forward a bit but, in truth, Sam Duncum (below, left) on the left was the only player at the races. He looked a quality player, quick feet, good control and a decent cross on him but his team mates couldn’t find the spaces that his threat created.

A Cambridge fan was escorted out of the ground by the police, for some reason. He went peacefully so we weren’t sure if he had to move his car or something. The half was fairly even in general terms but Cambridge looked in first gear whereas Ilkeston couldn’t overcome the one league deficit they were carrying into the game.

Cambridge graced the R Costings Abbey with some good football at times. Jai Reason fell in the box when well placed, Courtney Pitt beat several men but failed to get a shot in. Holroyd was brought down theatrically but perhaps not as badly as his nasty and awkward-looking landing suggested. Potter in the Cambridge goal was not troubled.

Cambridge have been in free fall since the 90s when they briefly graced the Championship, in fact they were a few games shy of challenging for the play offs to the Premier League at one point. The team and the fans have been in decline ever since. We noticed that, in the Abbey stand we were in, the average age of fan was probably pushing 40-50. There were younger fans in the North stand but Cambridge’s decline seems to have attracted few new fans and the future of the club has to be in limbo if they don’t climb out of this league quite soon.

The only other notable moment of the first half was a U’s clearance that hit the front of the stand we were in. A significant amount of rust cascaded down in front of us. The locals chuckled, we looked up wondering if the structure would last the game.

HT Cambridge Utd 1 Ilkeston 0

The old skool skyscraper floodlights were on, a very pleasing classic football sight that left a warm glow. Cambridge didn’t start the half well and Ilkeston had a short spell that had us pondering previous realfacup games where a 1-0 lead and dominance has so quickly turned into undeserved equaliser. Ilkeston had their first meaningful shot, after 53 minutes,which served as a warning and two minutes later another. no4 arrowed a shot that seemed to float not dip and grazed the top of the crossbar with Potter stranded.

At around the same time the previously competent ref was “starting to enjoy himself”, as Simon pointed out. Reason got booked for a shoulder to shoulder challenge, Holroyd had a penalty appeal turned down for something very similar and the natives were getting restless. “The ref’s gone mad” I added. Both sets of fans voiced their displeasure.

Cambridge’s increasing nerves were settled on 65 when Reason picked the ball up 25 yards out, set himself and drove a ball past the keeper’s despairing left hand.

Cambridge Utd 2 Ilkeston 0

From there on in Cambridge relaxed and started playing as only sides in yellow (sorry amber) can play with the pressure off. Much pressure proceeded but Cambridge also let Ilkeston have more time on the ball and, as a consequence, we got some more glimpses of Duncum down the left.

Holroyd broke down the left with some nice close control, he cut inside but the ball was cleared. A few pings later and an Ilkeston defender handled the ball just outside the area. The Cambridge fans had been a little harsh on Courtney Pitt all game but he convinced Willmott and Reason to let him take a free kick 20 yards out and slightly to the left. He stepped up, casually, and curled the ball over the ‘keeper and into the corner (above, right). He was immediately substituted.

Cambridge Utd 3 Ilkeston 0

It was all Cambridge now and Holroyd missed the second worst sitter (left) of the season, skying a riser from 3 yards out. He was immediately substituted, as was his strike partner Crow, clearly with league games in mind.

Carden and Reason were solid and efficient in Cambridge’s midfield, Pitt and Holroyd looked dangerous and Crow had worked hard. As the game was winding down Gleeson made an urgent foray from right back and moved it on to Challinor. His exquisite ball across the box had looked to be heading for a well-placed Willmott but Marriott stretched to reach the ball and, fortunately, just managed to control it before stabbing past the unfortunate Lowson in Ilkeston’ goal (below, right).

Cambridge Utd 4 Ilkeston Town 0

In injury time the Ilkeston fans remaining picked up their banners and flags and started singing with increased, defiant fervour. It was a good show from both sets of fans and a decent game aesthetised (is that a word) by some very well taken goals.

Onwards. Round 2.

Approaching The New Den from Bermondsey station is not the best way to travel to a football stadium.

The streets that snake their way through the myriad estates and industry around the ground are lit by an array of progressively less illuminating lights, lending a sense of foreboding to the crisp night air in this South London suburb. Expecting to be able to “follow the crowds” by the time I got to within a mile or so of Millwall’s lair, I was surprised and not a little unnerved by the emptiness of the streets that I found myself on. It wasn’t really until I began to work my way through the literally pitch black underpasses beneath the railway lines that surround the ground that, fortunately, some other similarly hardy, overdressed souls joined me on my lonely trudge to the FA Cup First Round match that had been rescheduled to the Monday night for the viewing pleasure of the TV hordes, huddled up in their warm lounges ready to see if the new version of the Crazy Gang of old could claim a League One scalp and increase their profile yet further.

I took up my place in the unreserved and yet reserved (I had to sit – well, stand – in a particular block but it could be anywhere in that block) area of the Lower Tier with the AFC Wimbledon fans behind the goal at the North end of this identikit ground, wondering whether my decision to witness the game with the away fans when visiting a club with one of the more, err, ‘well-known’ reputations for violence was a good one.

It is hard to rid oneself of the automatic notion that “Millwall fans are thugs” for some reason, despite having met one at the Ashford/Hendon game a few weeks ago who could only realistically be described as “a top bloke” but there is a very real sense of intimidation from some modern-day Millwall fans who do the club no favours at all when it comes to their efforts to rid themselves of the unfortunate mantle of “The Hooligan Club”. A large section of their supporters in the upper tier gather near the North end in order to engage in banter and taunt the visiting fans, adopting the age old “come on then” pose whilst singing their far-too-often-sung song about how indifferent they are to their level of popularity.

The Blue Square Premier side brought more than 3000 fans who did their team proud, singing throughout most of the game, despite their somewhat limited repertoire of songs and they must have regarded themselves as slightly unlucky not go in at half time a goal in front after Danny Kedwell saw his shot from a square ball just pass the left hand post in what ended up being the only real chance of the opening 45 minutes. It wasn’t that it was a poor game- far from it – it was entertaining without producing any clear-cut chances on goal and the Wombles of Wimbledon more than held their own until the break.

The half time interval saw some vaguely amusing action at each end where two teams of small children took turns to run with the ball from the half-way line to try and beat their own keeper and score. Most succeeded, one or two spectacularly so, and the odd one employed the sort of celebration which can only have been learnt by watching football from a much higher level than this.

All AFC’s first half hard work was undone four minutes into the second half when Millwall took the lead through “The Legendary” (the stadium announcer’s words, not mine) Neil Harris who slammed home from close range when put through by Morison. The home fans claimed that their visiting counterparts “weren’t singing any more” which wasn’t quite the truth but the bubble had been slightly tarnished, if it hadn’t been burst. Yet.

Glancing around at the rows of empty seats around the stadium, the Dons fans sang “Your ground’s too big for you” – the Millwall supporters in the East Stand eventually came back with “Your ground’s in Milton Keynes” which was wittier than I’d expected, despite having taken some time to deliver.

James Pullen in the AFC goal had failed to impress us with his kicking in either of the 2 ties we’d seen him play in this season and he did nothing to change our minds this time. But his shot-stopping and reactions were second to none in the early stages after the opening goal, pulling off what would probably be termed the save of the season were it performed at Old Trafford or Stamford Bridge, acrobatically tipping Abdou’s effort over the bar after it took a very substantial deflection to force it almost into the top corner. He could do nothing about Millwall’s second though, scored by substitute Jason Price after a succession of four corners and a free kick pummelled Wimbledon into submission.

A corner won for Wimbledon by Lewis Taylor saw him urge the hordes of fans to get behind their team which, to be fair to them, they already were but everyone understood his point. Wimbledon just needed that little extra and a bit of luck and the tie could be thrown back into the balance. Barely a few more minutes passed and it was Taylor himself that gave the fans something to really shout about, slotting in neatly after being put through by Kedwell. The surrounding fans felt that something could happen now and the noise was cranked up accordingly.

Something did happen, but sadly for AFC it was a 3rd and then a 4th Millwall goal. As the Dons pushed forward in search of a precious equaliser, Millwall’s Danny Schofield scored one within 5 minutes and created another for Price at the end to put pay to any chance of an upset and send the Lions fans home happy. It was, frankly, much more than Millwall deserved. AFC were thrashed 4-1 on their own ground at this stage last season by Wycombe Wanderers but they looked quite comfortable at this level tonight until the latter stages when Millwall’s class and fitness really told and 4-1 this season was a little harsh.

The route that is enforced on the away fans out of the imaginatively titled The New Den to South Bermondsey station is nothing if not imposing. A long, dark alleyway of steel fencing topped with metal spikes, which culminates with a junction at which the home fans join from another angle, watched over by several members of the local constabulary was not my idea of a comfortable way to leave the ground.

Several extremely drunk Millwall fans bellowing out the “Millwall Roar” as they shuffled up the station ramp reminded me that the FA Cup has almost left the friendly non-league clubs behind, replacing them with large police presences, segregation and bitterness between rival fans. I returned home cold and exhausted and wondering why clubs at the level of Millwall can’t provide the same level of comfort, friendliness and safety as the clubs from the non league without resorting to police and steel fences. AFC Wimbledon’s number one aim is to make it to the promised land of The League but there’s a part of me that thinks that they’d be better off where they are for a few more years.

Thanks to our little chat with Ashy earlier in the week and the few League two sides dumped out of the cup on Saturday, we were rather looking forward to this. The pre-match atmosphere around the Stones relatively new home did nothing to quell this. The locals were excited and we met a few Rotherham fans, erring on caution with predictions given recent form but reasonably confident of avoiding the proverbial banana skin

Partly thanks to averageness of height and partly because of the decision not to get a seated ticket we struggled to get a meaningful view of much of the early action. It’s obviously difficult to cater for 1600+ fans with a ground set up for a 1000 less than that and with little banked standing room. That said, the officiousness of the presumably non-regular stewards who had been drafted into the match perhaps didn’t help. On with the cliches.

The cameraman was on the roof and he got an early touch of the ball from a Wealdstone clearance. One could lazily depict the opening exchanges with analogy to the Haye/Valuev fight, both the big man and the smaller but potent challenger swapping some tentative jabs. A promising underdog move snuffed out with a clearance from a weak shot after a nifty backheel on the Wealdstone left.

The lino was getting some light hearted banter thanks to some questionable offside calls and a slight resemblance to Ashley off of that Eastenders. Wealdstone enjoyed some good spells of pressure, they showed no signs of being overawed and no signs of being out of their depth. Rotherham had a few corners but they were dealt with well and Wealdstone had a questionable penalty turned down. The partisan crowd were convinced but we didn’t see enough of it to tell.

Inevitably in such situations the League side broke the deadlock with some outrageous fortune. Thomas in the Wealdstone goal tried to clear a backpass, got his angles slightly wrong and hit the advancing Le Fondre, off whom it returned past the unfortunate ‘keeper and into the goal. We thought it was an arse goal and shocking bad luck for the home side. An undeserved lead for the away side.

Wealdstone 0 Rotherham 1

The Wealdstone lads did not let their heads drop and they passed the ball around as neatly as their more illustrious opponents, if not more so on occasion. They had a shot blocked and some through balls didn’t quite find their target. They did ride their luck too, surviving a penalty box free kick given, we think, for Thomas collecting a back pass.

Rotherham had probably only created 3 or 4 half chances, the next one however was a rasping drive from Ellison that Thomas could not get anywhere near. 2-0 Rotherham and it was a bit harsh on the Ryman Premier side. An error and a class finish was all that separated the teams at the interval.

HT Wealdstone 0 Rotherham 2

It was ruddy cold but the sun had come out. Pies – sold out. Burgers – sold out. Chips. Hotdogs. Nice chips. Some people moved at half time and we managed to settle down to the second half with a view.

The Stones came out with some purpose, which was good because they had some work to do and they had showed they were capable of causing the Lge 2 promotion challengers some problems. Undaunted, the sparring continued but there was more urgency about both sides, particularly the home side. The game ebbed and flowed.

Wealdstone attacked with purpose and from a ball across the box, Ryan Ashe unleashed a volley that Old Man Warrington in the Rotherham goal had no chance with. Warrington had been getting a few comments about his age, he did look old, although the programme suggested otherwise.

Wealdstone 1 Rotherham 2

Wealdstone were having some good moments and seemed to have unsettled the Rotherham defence since half time. E’Beyer shot just past the post. Was that the chance? There was still pressure so maybe not.

Rotherham finally broke out and a rash challenge brought them respite in the home side’s half. A free kick was floated into the box and Broughton flicked a deft header past Thomas. That was surely it.

Wealdstone 1 Rotherham 3

Wealdstone had other ideas. They piled on the pressure and the home fans drove them on. There were a few half chances and some tension in the Rotherham defence but they just couldn’t find a way through and were running out of time. After a bit of pin ball the ball fell to Ashe on the right of the box, he turned inside leaving the defender behind and floated a ball over the keeper into the corner. Another cracking goal from our favourite Wealdstone player.

Wealdstone 2 Rotherham 3

Was the equaliser on? We moved right up the end the Stones were attacking, the refs assistant had apparently signalled 4 mins and it was looking unlikely. Rotherham may well have been three leagues above but they had to fight for this. In the last couple of minutes a shot went narrowly past the post and Stones had a corner or two that caused some ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ among the nervous home fans but the ball just wouldn’t go in. A valiant effort but not quite enough.

FT Wealdstone 2 Rotherham 3

Rotherham were a bit fortunate and the Wealdstone fans had played their part in attempting to overcome the odds. It was an impressive performance from the Ryman side but wasn’t quite enough this time. Nevertheless, Gordon Bartlett’s tactics were good and his team did him proud. It was perhaps enough to put 10-20% on Wealdstone’s next home gate though. A lot of the fans we passed talked a good game, as if they were regulars but there were more than 4 times the last home gate there so some of them were fibbing. A lot sounded as though they’d be back. One can hope that Wealdstone do get those extra fans, the team certainly deserve it with their good football.

Final word. The ref. Well done. Barely noticed him. Thanks to Andy Taylor for the photos.

An FA Cup journey began at a Wetherspoons in a positive manner.
4 pints for a fiver is not to be sniffed at.
A slightly simple looking Rotherham fan chatted.
Initial fears of violence were soon dispelled.
A quiet suburban Ruislip afternoon was destroyed by a car alarm and a host of chanting.
On the walk, a turning missed and a kick off missed.
On arrival the ground was a shed.
The ticket overpriced.
The view terrible.
The toilets warm.
A walk of 3 sides of the ground yielded a small hole at a fence to see ¾ of a pitch.
The first goal was missed behind a head and possibly due to a lack of attention.
The spectator was thinking – what’s all the fuss about this FA cup lark.
The 2nd goal a goodun. Some bald guy tonked it in past the afro-ed peach keeper.
The onion bag bulged.
On half time the crowd moved
A view was gained
An average day became far better in the 2nd half.
A small hillock was found.
The Grassy Knoll of Football.
A quality underdog goal.
Some breakaway league team luck.
A solid spirited fight back from the local builders and token postman.
Another quality goal. 3-2…
More chances.
A spectator was happy.
A Romance? Not sure – but certainly a start.
Come on you Stones!

This season’s FA Cup has reached the hallowed ground of ‘The Propers’ and with it comes the bigger clubs from League 1 and 2, TV coverage, big money and fixture alterations. This weekend sees no less than 9 separate kick off times for various 1st round matches which, for the first time this season, enables us at therealfacup to attend 3 matches in one weekend!

On Sunday, Wealdstone will take on Rotherham in the match that “won” our poll to decide where we should go. We will never know whether this tie won because it was actually the most popular match or because no-one has anything against the two sides involved but, tickets purchased and ready to go, we’re very much looking forward to the game. The form side in the Ryman Premier League and the only team to take points off runaway leaders Dartford, the Stones must at least fancy their chances. Those chances are not helped by being without striker Greg Ngoyi who was sent off in the previous round as 10-man Wealdstone saw off an Aylesbury side we saw scrape a draw with the superior Wingate & Finchley.

Monday night sees a trip to League 1 high-fliers Millwall to see if AFC Wimbledon can rekindle the spirit of 1988 and continue their FA Cup run. Wimbledon have sold out several allocations of tickets for the match already and are expected to bring more than 2000 fans to the game so this match is a big night for the Wombles and it will be interesting to see if the Blue Square Premier side can compete with a team pushing for promotion from League 1. The FA’s ‘Player of the 4th Qualifying Round’, Danny Kedwell will certainly be doing all he can to make life difficult for the Lions.

On Saturday, we will be getting an early train to Cambridge in order to give us time to watch the Paulton Rovers/Norwich tie on TV before we head to The Abbey Stadium for Cambridge United v Ilkeston Town.

These two sides are separated by almost exactly a division now, after Ilkeston’s promotion to the Blue Square North last season via the playoffs, winning in extra time against Nantwich Town.

Ilkeston have been through some difficult times. Their former owner and club saviour, Paul Millership, who saved the club when the local council sold their ground 20 years ago, died 2 years ago and was replaced by Chek Whyte, a local entrepreneur and property tycoon. Despite having so much money that he appeared on Channel 4′s “Secret Millionaire”, giving away thousands to needy individuals and groups, his business suffered in the recession and he was declared bankrupt, forcing the club to seek new owners. They have recently announced that they have managed to secure funding from an unnamed group and, with the clubs position in the top half of the Blue Square North, the future is looking brighter for the Derbyshire side. But can they cause an upset and dump Blue Square Premier side, Cambridge United, out of the cup?

Ilkeston won their last away match in the league 4-1, with a hat-trick from striker Amari Morgan-Smith – but Cambridge’s recent home form has been outstanding, beating Kidderminster and Ebbsfleet in their last 2 games without conceding a goal, whilst scoring 6.

It certainly looks to have the right ingredients for a decent cup match so why not join us? We will be passing through several of Cambridge’s hostelries on the way to the game, including The Green Dragon and The Cambridge Blue and we are hoping to watch the match from the Habbin Stand.

So, who do you think has the best chance of causing an upset and knocking out league opposition this weekend?
Vote now in our new poll!

We broke our vow instantly. Simon couldn’t make this for a worthy reason I won’t go in to. I was going to go with my Southend supporting cousin but he didn’t fancy it. Fortunately it was a draw so we could go to the replay. We did, however, complete the vow of going to an extra game.

Southend United 2 AFC Telford 0
Attendance 4,415
Price £10

This game wasn’t bad, though the icy chill coming down from Scandinavia was. Telford proved they were only in second gear against Hendon by bossing Southend for much of the first hour. Like in previous rounds though, the better team failed to capitalise on their chances. In the 5 minutes leading up to Southend’s first goal, Telford had 3 or 4 very good chances that they hacked wide or headed over when they should have done better. Southend broke away from the final of these efforts and got a corner, from which former filthy Blade Simon Francis converted. They swiftly added a second with a great goal. The ball was played down the left hand side to James Walker who turned inside, looked up and curled the ball round the keeper. This was not Southend’s first team though, they weren’t deliberately fielding a weakened side they just had lots of injuries and some important loanees were ineligible. As a result of this dearth of players, a 17 year old former Ipswich Town youth player, Stuart O’Keefe, made his debut in the last minute. What appeared to be his granddad and some other friends and relatives were sitting in front of us and were understandably well chuffed when he came on. Had some great fish and chips too. Haddock. Under a fiver.

AFC Wimbledon 1 Wycombe Wanderers 4
Attendance 4,528
Price £10

It was really hard to get a ticket for this, it was a sellout and this was just the type of game we hoped we would see. This was the romance, a decent, footballing non-league side, who had been raped by prospectors and the fans were rebuilding their club. They were poised, ready to stick one up the league side and the TV boys knew it, that’s why it was LIVE on telly on a Monday night.

Having built this game up to epic proportions in my head, it was the most tedious one so far. Surprising given the scoreline but the pragmatism of the unbeaten league side was such that they more or less sat there all game waiting for errors. AFC managed only about 5 or 6 errors but 4 were punished by clinical finishing. So, we were standing on a packed terrace among ‘real’ Wimbledon fans and feeling the buzz of a reborn side on the verge of big things. Nope. We were hunched double on a cold, drizzly night in an uncovered stand listening to one, occasional, dreary song next to the most annoying of drunken Sarf Lahndan pretend fans. Was the silence because they are a newish side and haven’t got their identity yet or was it the early opposition goal and subsequent bore tactics from Peter Taylor’s side? More likely it was the prepondernance of fans of other teams that semed to have latched on to AFC as their second team. Tonight the FA Cup lost some of its lustre, although I was cheered slightly by the Womble that walked up and down in front of the main stand pulling a wheelie bin and banging the lid shut to get the crowd going.