The nine remaining teams in this season’s A M Print & Copy sponsored A&B Cup competition discovered their fate on Wednesday as the draw for the quarter-finals was made at the League’s monthly committee meeting.
With Cup holders, Warminster United no longer in the League, this years competition looks wide open, with four of the nine teams in with a real chance of lifting the Cup, although the other clubs will be seen as underdogs they shouldn’t be written off as a couple have a realistic chance of springing a cup upset.
The formbook would suggest that both Heytesbury and Westbury United Reserves will be front runners along with Seend United and Hilperton United but first they must overcome some tricky opponents.
The pick of the four quarter-final clashes is probably the game at Green Lane, Devizes where First division Potterne who toppled Semington Magpies in the previous round welcome Westbury United Reserves who will be out to avoid becoming another scalp for Ash Huntley’s side.
Although it hasn’t got top billing, the match between near neighbours Heytesbury FC and Dilton Marsh Wanderers could be a tricky tie for the hosts. It promises to be a tasty contest as many of the players on show will have featured for both teams this season which will no doubt add extra spice to a game that Dilton will raise their game for looking to cause a cup upset.
Division two champions Seend United will take on either Freshford United or Shrewton Town Development. Regardless of who they face,Seend who are having great campaign will be huge favourites to progress to the semi-finals, however should they be over confident, they could come unstruck as they did against Heytesbury in the Wiltshire Junior Cup earlier in the season, but the pundits can’t see lightning striking twice at Seend’s expense.
Bromham Owls who defeated Warminster Town Reserves 3-1 to reach this point of the competition will travel to Whaddon Lane home of First division Hilperton United looking to have another hoot of a day with another cup shock. On their day the Owls have the players capable of beating their guests, however, it’s a case of getting all those players on the pitch together, should they do that, then this is the tie that may go the distance before a winner is found.
The full draw is
Heytesbury FC Vs Dilton Marsh Wanderers FC
Seend United FC Vs Freshford United / Shrewton United Development
Hilperton United Vs Bromham Owls FC
Potterne FC Vs Westbury United Reserves FC
Date and Kick-Off – TBC
If the scores are level after 90 minutes, a period of 30 minutes extra time (15 minutes each-way) will be played. If the scores remain level after extra time, the match will be decided on penalties.