Northampton Spencer v Aylesbury United
The FA Cup First Round Qualifying
10 September 2005
Kingsthorpe Mill, Studland Road
£2,250 to the winning club




The FA Cup road to glory takes us to Northamptonshire this weekend where Northampton Spencer, who overcame Ware in the Preliminary Round, take on local rivals Aylesbury United in the First Qualifying Round of the world's oldest cup competition.

Spencer, who play at Kingsthorpe Mill, affectionately named 'The Mill', are second in the Eagle Bitter United Counties League, and will be hopeful that they can extend their run in the Cup having beaten Ware 4-2 away in the previous round and pocketed the useful £1000 victor's prize.

Their visitors, despite their proximity to Spencer, are on paper far superior to their opponents. Playing in the Southern League Premier Division, Aylesbury have not had to play any qualifying matches.

At present they are positioned ninth in the league, and having lost their last two matches, incidentally both away, if Spencer can score an early goal it could be an interesting game.

Northampton Spencer, formally Spencer School Old Boys, are in their 70th year and manager Steve Jelley has built a team that will be hard to break down.

Speaking after the success against Ware the manager explained that 'this season we have set our stall out to be difficult to beat and to ensure we have a strong defensive unit'.

His tactics seem to be working, and Jelley remains hopeful that promotion is attainable. The Cup tie has been eagerly anticipated by players, staff and fans alike, but the manager is just happy to be in the first round of The FA Cup. He beamed: 'Regardless of whether we win or lose it will be a great day.