Cup Fever Builds As Sutton Welcome The Robins
- Mark Bravery
- Dec 1, 2016
- 2 min read
Sutton hope to bounce back from Tuesday’s 6-0 drubbing by Dover as they entertain Cheltenham Town this Saturday (kick-off 3pm) in the second round of the Emirates FA Cup.
Sutton and Cheltenham were Conference rivals back in the late 80s and early 90s before Sutton’s relegation in 1991. The last meeting between the two clubs was in the 1997/98 season, Cheltenham winning 1-0 at their Whaddon Road ground in the Cup’s fourth qualifying round. Cheltenham went on to become Conference champions in 1999 and earn promotion to the Football League. They were relegated back to the National League last year but bounced straight back by winning the league, finishing twelve points clear of runners-up Forest Green Rovers.
Cheltenham have found the going tough back in League Two and currently stand second-bottom, although the tightness of that division means they are only seven points behind 11th-placed Cambridge United. Both teams go into Saturday’s clash in indifferent form, having each won only twice in their last eight games. Those victories include the first round Cup successes, Sutton winning 6-3 at Dartford then Cheltenham overcoming Crewe Alexandra 4-1 away in a replay following a 1-1 draw at Whaddon Road.
For this match Sutton manager Paul Doswell looks like being without centre back Dean Beckwith, suspended for four games following his sending-off on Tuesday (his second red card this season). Simon Downer returns from a one-match suspension and is expected to fill Beckwith’s place. Striker Craig McAllister, midfielder Craig Dundas and left back Ben Jefford will all be cup-tied as they have appeared for other clubs on loan in earlier rounds of the Cup. Sutton's young loan signing from Brentford, Herson Alves, will be eligible to play. Defender Kevin Amankwaah, midfielders Roarie Deacon and Craig Eastmond, and strikers Maxime Biamou and Dan Fitchett will all be hoping to start after being named only as substitutes on Tuesday.
Sutton were last in this round of the Cup in 2011/12, when they lost 2-0 at home to Notts County in a game broadcast live on TV. This match won't be transmitted live but will be covered by the BBC who will be broadcasting Football Focus live from Gander Green Lane from 12 noon on Saturday (BBC1) and will include extended highlights in their FA Cup round-up show at 6pm on Sunday (BBC2).
Tickets are still available, and can be bought at the following times:
Thu 1st, Fri 2nd - 10am to 12 noon (office), 7pm to 9pm (Members' Bar)
Tickets will also be on sale on matchday (pay at the gate)
Crowd segregation will be in force, with Cheltenham supporters at the Collingwood Road end, so home fans must use the Gander Green Lane turnstiles.