UniBond League Challenge Cup 1st Round Draw
Mon 20th Oct
Hyde United v Altrincham
Tue 21st
Oct Ashton United v Leek Town
Bamber Bridge v Lancaster City
Burscough v Colwyn Bay
Guiseley v Wakefield&Emley
Lincoln United v Gainsborough Trinity
Marine v Runcorn FC Halton
Ossett Town v Farsley Celtic
Rossendale United v Kendal Town
Stocksbridge PS v Frickley Athletic
Workington v Gateshead
Wed 22nd Oct
Bishop Auckland v Blyth Spartans
Kidsgrove Athletic v Matlock Town

All ties to be played to a result with extra time and penalties if required.

The remaining 19 clubs will join the 13 winners for the 2nd Round to be played week commencing 17th November.

That will be the 4th time in 4 years that Hyde have played Altrincham in the league cup. FARCE!

Why the complaint - statistically:-

Last 4 years

2000/01 Played them in the qualifying group stage (drew 1-1 A)
2001/02 Played them twice in the League (winning both), not in the League Cup
2002/03 Second round (winning 2-1)
2003/04 First round

Not a bad record - You are unbeaten at home against them in recent years -I would have thought the draw was the answer to a maiden's prayer!

Dave, There is no complaint, after all the draw is made quite fairly and it is "luck of the draw". Its just that drawing the same team over and over can make the competition a bit dull in my opinion.

We have only won 2 from our last 5 home games with Alty, mind you after the last couple of seasons our record against everyone has taking a battering!

Looking forward to my first visit to North Ferriby next year and a part of the country i've never visited.

So it is a free and open draw then, funny how many local derby matches there are in this years first round!!

I think you are right it is very much a regional draw, which makes sense from a travelling expense and gates perspective.

Last year:-
Belper Town 1- 4 Matlock Town
Chorley 1- 0 Bamber Bridge
Lincoln United 1- 2 North Ferriby United
Rossendale Utd 2- 1 Droylsden
Stocksbridge PS 2- 0 Frickley Athletic
Witton Albion 3- 5 Marine
Workington 6- 0 Kendal Town
Burscough 1- 3 Colwyn Bay
Hucknall Town 0- 3 Gainsborough Trinity
Hyde United 2- 1 Trafford
Guiseley 3- 4 Farsley Celtic
Gateshead 6- 3 Whitby Town
Blyth Spartans 2- 3 Bishop Auckland

But it does mean the same teams are likely to draw each other. The mix varies each year because, of course, it is the bottom 13 in each division which forms the first round pool.

I think you are right it is very much a regional draw, which makes sense from a travelling expense and gates perspective.

Last year:-
Belper Town 1- 4 Matlock Town
Chorley 1- 0 Bamber Bridge
Lincoln United 1- 2 North Ferriby United
Rossendale Utd 2- 1 Droylsden
Stocksbridge PS 2- 0 Frickley Athletic
Witton Albion 3- 5 Marine
Workington 6- 0 Kendal Town
Burscough 1- 3 Colwyn Bay
Hucknall Town 0- 3 Gainsborough Trinity
Hyde United 2- 1 Trafford
Guiseley 3- 4 Farsley Celtic
Gateshead 6- 3 Whitby Town
Blyth Spartans 2- 3 Bishop Auckland

But it does mean the same teams are likely to draw each other. The mix varies each year because, of course, it is the bottom 13 in each division which forms the first round pool.

We are looking forward to the first time league visits of Hyde, Colwyn Bay and the mighty Heed. It will be great to have another international game - how I miss the midweek February trip to Gretna!!