FA CUP CONTINUES TO SPRINKLE IT'S MAGIC

IT'S NOT ALL DOOM AND GLOOM IN HARINGEY

Spartan South Midlands and Essex Senior League update

It may have been a miserable weekend for one club in Haringey as Tottenham Hotspur lost Gareth Bale and the North London Derby on Sunday but two other clubs from the London Borough were celebrating memorable victories in The FA Cup with Budweiser on Saturday.

Haringey Borough won 2-1 at home to Calor Gas Central Division (Step 4) AFC Hayes to set up a trip to Wembley in the next round. They travel to Vale Farm to play Wembley FC who themselves got a fantastic result at a Step 4 club as they won 1-5 at Ryman Division One (North) Ware. Anthony McDonald scored both Borough's goals in the first 25 minutes.

Greenhouse London FC (formerly Haringey and Waltham Development) travel to another local Step 4 side and easily won 0-3 at Potters Bar Town. They host Bedford Town at Coles Park in the First Qualifying Round which should be an occasion to remember with all at the club.

THE TEAM SHEET FROM SATURDAY'S GAME AT POTTERS BAR TOWN

The two Haringey side's along with Barking are the only Essex Senior League side's left in the competition. Barking impressively drew 1-1 at Ryman North Maldon and Tiptree and replay tomorrow at Mayesbrook Park where the winner will face a home tie versus Heybridge Swifts so it could be real local derby in the next round if M&T get through.

THE CLAPTON ULTRAS ON SATURDAY.
Picture courtesy of the quite excellent PITCH SIDE PHOTOGRAPHY.
A brilliant site with superb photos well worth visiting.

Clapton attracted a decent crowd of 107 for their game with Mildenhall Town but there was no more glory as the away side booked a place in the next round with a 0-2 victory. Despite the result the growing reputation of The Clapton Ultras continued as they made noise and supported their team throughout the game. Some people not in the know may think 107 is a poor crowd but considering The Tons were attracting 20's and 30's this time last season it's an amazing increase and shows the historic East London side has raised it's profile somewhat. 

Six Spartan South Midlands League side's remain. Berkhamsted, Cockfosters, Hertford Town, Kings Langley, Biggleswade United and St Margaretsbury all qualified with Hertford's 4-2 home victory over Cheshunt and Biggleswade United's 1-3 win at Leighton Town the stand out results.

ABOVE - CHALK LANE IN SEPTEMBER 2010 WHEN THEY PLAYED CHESHUNT IN THE FA CUP

Cockfosters have a home tie versus United Counties Premier Division side AFC Rushden & Diamonds who bring with them a considerable travelling support. Their Extra Preliminary Round game at London Colney drew 430 and 292 saw their 1-2 victory over Northwood on Saturday so Chalk Lane could be packed to the rafters for this game. 509 and 401have seen The Diamonds two away league games so far.

FA CUP 1st QUALIFYING ROUND FIXTURES

Ties involving Essex Senior League clubs
Wembley v HARINGEY BOROUGH
GREENHOUSE LONDON v Bedford Town
BARKING/Maldon and Tiptree v Heybridge Swifts

Ties involving Spartan South Midlands League sides
Daventry Town v BERKHAMSTED
HERTFORD TOWN v Dunstable Town
Wealdstone v KINGS LANGLEY
COCKFOSTERS V AFC Rushden & Diamonds
Hendon v BIGGLESWADE UNITED
ST MARGARETSBURY v Hemel Hempstead Town

Above - The Six Spartan South Midlands League sides going for glory in the 1st Qualifying Round.
 

The clubs at Step 5 and below who have won through two games to get to this stage have already banked £2,425 in prize money and another victory will give them another £3,000 which will be greatly received no doubt. It's certainly not the millions of pounds being spent by the Premier League giants this summer but a small amount of money at this level of football can make all the difference.

The Ryman Division One (North) sides joined the competition this weekend and Ryman Premier Division sides join in the First Qualifying Round on September 14th when Enfield Town travel to St Albans City. More news of these games soon.