Draw sends city duo back on road (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Draw sends city duo back on road

AFTER reaching the next stage of the FA Cup, both Salisbury City and Bemerton Heath Harlequins were hoping for a home draw and a chance to further their run in the famous old competition, writes Mike Turner.

However, both have been handed tough Second Qualifying Round ties away from home.

The Whites who beat Clevedon Town 4-2 in a replay on Tuesday night following Saturday's 1-1 draw, visit fellow Southern Premier Division outfit Yate Town, while Harlequins face a mountain to climb away at Conference North giants Worcester City. Both games are to be played on Saturday, September 24.

Heath's joint first team manager Steve Slade said: "I was hoping we could stay in the competition for at least one more round.

"There are so many smaller clubs like us left in who we might fancy our chances against and I was hoping for any one of them at home."

Bemerton have seen off both Ilfracombe Town and Penzance 1-0 in their previous two rounds, earning £3,250 from the FA's prize fund.

"The prize money from the next round combined with what we've won so far, would have paid for our season," admitted Slade.

Worcester City are one of the sleeping giants of non-league football and their St George's Lane ground regularly attracts four-figure gates, but this season they have struggled in their opening league matches.

They are sure to start as massive favourites to win the tie, but the FA Cup has a habit of causing upsets.

"We'll go there and give it a go," added Slade.

"They'll be expecting to beat us comfortably, but you never know in the cup."

Nick Holmes knows plenty about his side's next opponents, having already beaten them 3-1 at home earlier this month. "Before the Clevedon match I said that they were similar to Yate Town and so it proved."

Speaking after Tuesday's replay he said: "My main concern now is our next match away at Halesowen on Saturday. I know it's nice to have a good cup run but the league is our priority this season."

City were held to a 1-1 draw on Saturday after the dismissal of Scott Bartlett on the stroke of half-time, threatened to undermine the good work which had put them into the lead.

Torrential rain made the second half something of a lottery with passes frequently falling short because of surface water.

The hosts made the most of their advantage but after netting the equaliser, were unable to prise open a hard-working City defence again.

"I thought they all did their jobs well in the second half in what were very difficult conditions," said Holmes. "We defended well and there was no way through for them after they'd got to 1-1."

Holmes had no complaints about Bartlett's straight red card for allegedly striking out at a Clevedon player.

"He probably got what he deserved. He raised his arm, but I don't think he made bad contact with the player. He's full of remorse but he's just got to get on with it."

Bartlett was free to start in Tuesday's replay as his ban does not begin until later this month, and fully justified his selection with a sterling performance.

In-form striker Matt Tubbs netted twice with Wayne Turk and an own goal accounting for the Seasiders.

On Saturday, Whites return to league action at Halesowen Town while Harlequins head to Gosport Borough.