Preview: Wed 28 Oct 09 – BCFA MFC1 – Bustleholme FC - Away
The Mikes Reserves make their first outside cup appearance of the season on Wednesday, when they travel to the Black Country to take on Bustleholme FC in Round 1 of the Birmingham County FA Midweek Floodlit Cup.
Bustleholme slipped to fourth place in the West Midlands Regional League Premier Division as their excellent recent run came to an end in a 2-1 defeat at Gornal Athletic. The Mikes also saw the end of a winning streak in a 3-1 reverse against Chasetown.
Joint manager Rob Clarke commented “It was disappointing to lose, but the performance level was still good. I’m not unduly concerned, as it’s all part of the learning curve”.
Looking ahead to the game, Clarke added: “Wednesday night’s game will be a good challenge for the lads. All our games so far have been against teams from our own league, so competitions like this give us the chance to measure how they will adapt to a higher level of football. We’re playing a team that is looking for promotion to the MFA. I’m sure that all the lads have first team aspirations, so here’s an ideal opportunity for them to prove that they can step up”.
Both teams crashed out at the first hurdle last season. The Mikes narrowly lost 2-1 to Midland Combination Premier side Bolehall Swifts, while Bustleholme went down 3-1 at Massey Ferguson from the same league.
The Mikes will be looking to improve their recent form in the Competition. Their last win came in the 2004/05 season, when their superb run ended with a 3-2 defeat to Castle Vale at the semi-final stage. Both teams’ recent records in the competition:
The Mikes
2008/09 – R1 – Bolehall Swifts 2–1 The Mikes
2007/08 – not entered
2006/07 – R1 – The Mikes 0-4 Coleshill Town
2005/06 – R2 – Highgate United 1-0 The Mikes
2004/05 – R1 – The Mikes 4-1 Wednesfield
2004/05 – R2 – Dudley Town 1-2 The Mikes
2004/05 – QF – The Mikes 2-1 Southam United
2004/05 – SF – The Mikes 2-3 Castle Vale Bustleholme FC 2008/09 – R1 – Massey Ferguson 3–1
Bustleholme
2007/08 – R1 – Bolehall Swifts 0-1 Bustleholme
2007/08 – R2 – Bustleholme 0-2 AFC Wulfrunians
2006/07 – R1 – Highgate United 4-4 Bustleholme (pens 3-5)
2006/07 – R2 – Bustleholme 2-2 Continental Star (pens 2-4)
2005/06 – R1 – Bustleholme 1-2 Tividale
2004/05 – R1 – Coventry Sphinx 4-1 Bustleholme
Bustleholme FC Ground Address: Tipton Sports Academy, Wednesbury Oak Road, Tipton DY4 0BS
Related Links:
Bustleholme FC: http://www.webteams.co.uk/Home.aspx?team=bustleholme
West Midlands Regional League: http://fulltime.thefa.com/Index.do?league=3244788
Full Draw: http://www.birminghamfa.com/FixturesAndResults/CountyCups/MidweekFloodlitChallengeCup/?js=1&tab=fixtures
