THOROUGHOUT the football world at the moment there is a perceived idea that cup football in the main gets in the way of the league stuff, and much of it should be treated with as little respect as possible.

County Cup football has suffered from this malaise in recent years, not helped by an attitude passed down after Manchester United effectively signed the FA Cup's death warrrant by pulling out and playing a meaningless, but lucrative, match abroad nearly a decade ago. One of the few counties who have still maintained a hold on their county competition is Hampshire and the Hants County Cup still holds respectability, offering as it does the chance to play the final on a well-appointed league ground.

There have been rumours that the final will be returning to St Marys next year, having been at its predecessor the Dell before it, but this year the final was again held at Dean Court, home of AFC Bournemouth. Now called the Fitness First Stadium, it welcomed Basingstoke Town and new club Farnborough FC to its showpiece final on a warm day in Dorset.

For the supporters and players of Andover FC, realistically for the club at the moment, this should be their main aim along with a possible top ten slot in the Southern League Div One South and West. The last two seasons have seen them somewhat shamefaced as both Hayling United and US Portsmouth have sent them tumbling out after embarrassing home defeats, but this year the day provided a neat full stop for this year's final two after wildly differing campaigns.

More than a thousand made the trek down to the coast and created a partisan atmosphere at either end of the West Stand. The ground at Dean Court was knocked down and the pitch turned round 90 degrees a few years ago before being rebuilt and it stands out as a gleaming edifice in what is looking a tired and decaying Kings Park. Not that long ago the park was a neatly trimmed area with a mass of football and cricket pitches, a model railway and lush grassy meadows. Nowadays, apart from Dean Court the football pitches have gone, replaced by a huge commercial lorry park, the railway is gone and the whole place needs a good landscape gardener.

Not that that bothered the supporters of newly crowned champions Farnborough, and Basingstoke, who were more than happy to have a final to take their mind off a poor season in the Conference South. They had in their squad Mark Vockins, who had a loan spell at the Portway last season while Farnborough had Darren Wheeler in their line up who tortured the Lions so mercilessly in his club's march to the title.

With both James Taylor and Scott Fitzgerald in the forward line, Stoke predictably called the tune and Taylor's strike gave his side the cup after a 90 minute battle where no quarter was asked or given and passion on the field showed that there is much life left in the County Cup.

l Meanwhile at Andover manager Mick Catlin is busy putting together his squad for the new season and has re-signed both Bryn McKie and Ben Buckland. It is believed at least two prominent former Lions could be targeted with a view to a return to the Portway but it is early days and with the official date yet to be reached when players can be approached, little is being said. Sadly, that has not stopped Southern League newcomers AFC Totton from announcing that they have signed Joe Bye. Andover FC are believed to be less than delighted with that knowledge and may well take it further with the relevant authorities.

The constitution of the South and West Division was announced last week and there are a number of changes with a few surprises.

Farnborough and Oxford City are both promoted to the Southern Premier, Fleet Town and Godalming Town have moved over to the Isthmian League South Division, Hillingdon Borough to the Isthmian League North, and sadly Marlow along with their delightful ground, to the Southern Midlands Division.

Newport IOW are back in the Wessex League, replaced by AFC Totton as champions of the Wessex. Beaconsfielfd SYCOB are back as champions from the Spartan South Midland and North Leigh are promoted as the Hellenic League champions.

Truro City were Western Premier champions, both Bishops Cleeve and Cinderford have been switched from the Southern Midlands Division and finally Cirencester were relegated from the Southern Premier.

The sad demise of Halifax Town in the Conference has had a knock on effect which has led to Slough Town being reprieved, which means two trips to Beaconsfield's ground next term. North Leigh's promotion should put paid to the pre-season friendlies with that club, but there are a number of grounds which Lions fans can look forward to.

Cinderford Town, in the heart of the Forest of Dean, is a cracker, half of which looks to have been stuck in a time warp. It is a superb old fashioned ground which has recently been tidied up and is comfortable and friendly. Cirencester Town's home is fairly new, they having had a purpose built home provided after they sold the old ground which is now covered by up-market apartments. Situated in the middle of nowhere, it has yet to develop any kind of charm although it is neat and tidy and has enough cover for the travelling Lions to keep dry.

Bishops Cleeve also play in a fairly new ground just outside Cheltenham and will be strong next season. Despite many people dreading the trip to Truro City, on a good day with the wind behind it will take not much more than three and a half hours and is less than 200 miles. Contrary to popular belief there is no passport required to enter Cornwall and the locals do not repel all borders on the Tamar Bridge.

As yet there is no news with regard to the possible reforming of a reserve side and pre-season friendlies and testimonial news will follow soon.

11:33am Tuesday 20th May 2008

Print

Email this