Midweek cup drama gets NSL sides under way (From Gazette Series)

Midweek cup drama gets NSL sides under way

TEAMS in the Gloucestershire Northern Senior League are back in competitive action on Wednesday in the first round of the Reg Davis Memorial Cup.

The draw for the competition has thrown up several intriguing ties, with one local derby among the fixtures.

It comes at Charfield, where the second division side will entertain Cam Bulldogs from Division One.

Cam will be favourites to take the tie on paper but will be wary of their lower league opponents, having gone out to then Division Two side Tetbury Town at the first hurdle a year ago.

The winners of the tie will travel to Bredon or Cheltenham Civil Service in round two.

Holders Sharpness have been handed a home draw but will face a stiff test in the shape of Shortwood United Reserves.

With so many new signings boosting Shortwood's Hellenic Premier League first team, the Nailsworth side's reserves may well prove to be stronger than last season.

However, the Sharks are no mugs themselves and will be looking to produce the kind of form that saw them lift the trophy last season.

Should Sharpness progress they could face near neighbours Berkeley Town in the second round.

Berkeley would first have to negotiate Horsley United - a side that finished mid-table in Division Two last term.

The Hunters, on the other hand, finished their Division One campaign in fourth place and will expect to start their season with a win.

Former Slimbridge boss Doug Gray should take charge of the side for the first time in a competitive fixture.

Kingswood face a tough test, drawn away to fellow newly-promoted side Brimscombe and Thrupp.

However, they will face many harder games during the course of the season and will be keen to demonstrate that they can cut it at a higher level.

A trip to either Brockworth Albion or Tuffley Rovers Reserves awaits Kingswood if they can defeat Brimscombe.

Dursley Town went all the way to the semi-finals of this competition last season and will be trying their utmost to do so again.

Town also demonstrated their cup pedigree in 2004/05 with an appearance in the final of the Stroud Charity Cup where they lost 3-0 to Shortwood Reserves.

They will welcome Chalford to the Rec on Wednesday and with the visitors having only just avoided relegation from the first division in May, Dursley will fancy their chances of starting another successful cup run.

Town will earn a home tie against Gala Wilton or Longlevens if they make it through to round two.

Reg Davis Memorial Cup Round one draw

Berkeley Town v Horsley United, Bourton Rovers v Bishops Cleeve Res, Bredon v Cheltenham Civil Service, Brimscombe & Thrupp v Kingswood, Broadwell Amateurs v Mitcheldean, Brockworth Albion v Tuffley Rovers Res, Charfield v Cam Bulldogs, Dursley Town v Chalford, Gala Wilton v Longlevens, Huntley v Smiths Athletic, Sharpness v Shortwood United Res, Staunton & Corse v Longford, Tetbury Town v Stonehouse Freeway, Viney St Swithins v Lydbrook Athletic, Warden Hill United v Newton Heath, Whitecroft v Mushet & Coalway.