Cardiff City take a break from the rigors of the Premier League with the FA Cup and a trip to Division 1 opponents Gillingham. Has many readers of this blog know I love the FA Cup but with the arrival of Modern Football, cup competitions are less popular than when I was a youth. Managers and most fans just see it as a distraction from promotion and survival.
Every season since I can remember I have played a simple game of “The Road to Wembley” picking a team from the earliest round I could and follow them. The birth of the internet as really helped. I have read a number of books on the same subject it has always been a fantasy to complete a trip from start to the finish at Wembley. But being a non-driver and other problems mainly the lack of money - busted that idea.
So this season it started back in August picking for unknown reasons United Services Portsmouth who are currently members of the Wessex League Division One in the Extra Preliminary Round of the cup. So since riding off their coat tails a number of teams have received my temporary support along the way. I have been thrown a curve ball for this Third Round fixture. My love is Cardiff City but my road journey has led me to Gillingham it’s the first time this as happened not counting the season the Bluebirds reached the final after beating Middlesbrough who were my team that day, remember we are talking fantasy football and was over the moon when Cardiff won.
Still I am a Cardiff fan that’s never going to change but I will be stuck with the outcome of the game with tears in my eyes if Cardiff were to lose. Only two teams I would change in an air breath are Swansea and Manchester United it a case of anyone but either of these two.
Cardiff need to win, if just to put a win in their pockets with two must win League games upcoming but what will the team sheet tell us. I have a sneaky feeling boss Cardiff Neil Warnock will rest players with one eye on the upcoming league games. A mistake, yes in my book unless he is really looking to strengthen the team not just resting players.
Warnock as stated he will take a "strong squad" to Kent but will make changes to his starting XI. Goalkeeper Alex Smithies will be hoping for a game having played one senior game, the EFL Cup game earlier in the season. Nathaniel Mendez-Laing is one of a number of players hoping to be given the nod for a start. First team duo Victor Camarasa and Harry Arter will not be risked after picking up knocks in the defeat to Tottenham.
I remember the last and only time we played them in the FA Cup the game was call off before we reached their ground due to snow and lost the rematch 2-1 in 1985. We ended up heading for Fulham to catch a game but at half-time the announcer a local to Cardiff fans at the and the atmosphere changed.
Route to Wembley (Bold my Team)
Third Round Gillingham v Cardiff City Att
Second Round Proper Slough Town 0-1 Gillingham Att 2084
First Round Proper (replay) Slough Town 1-1 Sutton United Att 426 (Slough won 8-7 on penalties)
First Round Proper Sutton United 0-0 Slough Town Att 1830
Fourth Round Qualifying Eastbourne 1-2 Slough Town Att 802
Third Round Qualifying (Replay) Bristol Manor Farm 0 – 4 Slough Town Att 541
Third Round Qualifying Slough Town 2 – 2 Bristol Manor Farm Att 486
Second Round Qualifying (Replay) – Sholing 0 - 3 Slough Town Att 327
Second Round Qualifying - Slough Town 2 – 2 Sholing Att 465
First Round Qualifying (Replay) - Hamworthy United 0 - 1 Sholing Att 149
First Round Qualifying – Sholing 0 - 0 Hamworthy United Att 230
Preliminary Round - United Services Portsmouth 1 - 3 Sholing Att 131
The Extra Preliminary Round - United Services Portsmouth 5 – 2 Andover Town Att -
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