Fleetwood Town entertain Aldershot Town in the FA Cup with Budweiser Second Round on Saturday, looking to bounce back after successive league defeats.
By David MitchellFleetwood Town entertain Aldershot Town in the FA Cup with Budweiser Second Round on Saturday, looking to bounce back after successive league defeats.
There is also the mouth-watering prospect of a Premier League club awaiting the winner in the Third Round and, barring a replay, ball number 64 will determine the fate of one team or the other come Sunday afternoon. Town defied the odds last year to overcome League One side Yeovil in the Second Round, after a replay in the West Country. Manager, Micky Mellon, recognises the magic of a competition which ultimately brought Blackpool, one of his former clubs, to Highbury last season:
‘There’s so much at stake for both clubs with the potential prize at stake in January. The expectation of coming out of the bag and the excitement of looking for a plumb tie is all part of the experience but a really tough game stands in our way first.’
A 4-1 win over the Shots back in September was the first home success in the Football League for Mellon’s team. Town have had a week’s preparation to assess the two-prong threat of injury and illness ahead of the next encounter:
‘It is very difficult to start, and maintain, any sort of momentum with these issues,’ said Mellon, ’but they are just one or two of the challenges that football throws at you. You have to reorganise and adapt. Now is the time to look to those younger players who have shown potential.”
The main news on the injury front is the broken foot suffered by defender, Youl Mawéné, in the Dagenham & Redbridge game. Mawéné is likely to be out for some weeks. Rob Atkinson has been recalled from Accrington Stanley to help cover the situation in central defence. The former Grimsby player is cup-tied, however, so not available until the Southend game a week later.
Jon Parkin and Andy Mangan remain sidelined and Steven Gillespie may be included if considered fit.
Aldershot reached the Second Round with a 2-1 win over Isthmian Premier Division side Hendon. However, it has been a difficult season for Dean Holdsworth’s men with just three wins in 16 league games since the Highbury defeat and they will target a good Cup run to help kick-start a league campaign which sees them precariously in the relegation zone, lying 23rd.
Holdsworth underlined the importance of Saturday’s game in an interview with BBC Surrey:
‘The rewards would be great for us but you can’t start thinking about something you haven’t got. We are underdogs against a very good side going in the right direction.’
‘We are unbeaten in four games away, will go there with a game plan and to give everything. It’s been a tough season so far but to get through would give us a boost.’
Three of the Shots four league wins have been away from home but they will be without a number of players on Saturday. Striker, Dani Lopez, is cup-tied having played for Stevenage in Round One while on loan midfielder, Danny Rose, cannot face his parent club. Striker, Craig Reid, could return following knee trouble but centre-back Olly Lancashire (abdomen), midfielder Craig Stanley (leg) and goalkeeper Ross Worner (back) miss out.
The club shop is open for ticket sales on Friday from 9am to 5pm. The shop opens again on Saturday morning for ticket sales at 9am until kick-off at 3pm. A ticket is required for the automated turnstile system. Prices for all areas of the ground are £10 adults, £5 concessions and £1 under 12s.
