The unofficial AFC Rushden & Diamonds messageboard

United Counties League Knockout Cup Preliminary Round

http://www.afcdiamonds.com/afc-rushden- ... -whitworth

AFC Rushden & Diamonds v Wellingborough Whitworth
Tuesday 18th September 2012 – 7:45pm
United Counties League Knockout Cup Preliminary Round
Dog and Duck Stadium, London Road, Wellingborough NN8 2DP

What are people's thoughts on this one?

Can anyone explain to me the process of the UCL Knockout Cup? How many rounds, what teams, etc.

I'll be there +1 - looking forward to a midweek game under the lights.

BartonRaz wrote:What are people's thoughts on this one?

Can anyone explain to me the process of the UCL Knockout Cup? How many rounds, what teams, etc.

I'll be there +1 - looking forward to a midweek game under the lights.

With the UCL having moved to the FA Full-time website the details are a bit sketchy, but some details can be worked out from the original draw which is still on the old website - http://www.htucfl.com/LeagueNews/view/22468 - so if we win we go into the first round proper, which has 16 ties and then continues as a straight knock-out competition with all the UCL clubs involved. According to the rules the ties are decided on the night with extra-time and pens should they be required.

BartonRaz wrote:What are people's thoughts on this one?

Good opportunity to give a start to all those on the bench, which is what Starms is intending to do.

Seems like a more interesting competition than the Junior Cup - given the teams involved.

Even the Junior Cup will have it's benefits to give match time to the squad's fringe players.

Can't make it as will be in London that day and working late, typical :(

Trek wrote:Even the Junior Cup will have it's benefits to give match time to the squad's fringe players.

Whilst that's true, and R&DFC used to do that with the Hillier Senior Cup, the Junior Cup will hit revenues by being played on a Saturday. I can see why this happens, as many of the Step 7 teams only play at weekends, and don't have lights, but it would be the sort of competition you wouldn't be disappointed to get knocked out of.

That's interesting, Tony, so if we progress and matches need to be played on a Saturday there may be the odd 2pm start to ensure it finishes in daylight!

Trek wrote:That's interesting, Tony, so if we progress and matches need to be played on a Saturday there may be the odd 2pm start to ensure it finishes in daylight!

Indeed - in fact the default time for games in the competition is 2pm - http://www.northamptonshirefa.com/cups/ ... p/fixtures - I'll make sure I get clarification that ours will start at 3pm as soon as I can.