FA Cup / Alan Dudman / 06 November 2008 /

With his League One charges kidnapped by the Cup this week, Alan Dudman offers a cautionary tale of the fields of dreams and paradises lost which constitute the world's most famous club competition. He also dreams of his own Catriona and says, get on Leeds.

I think it was Robert Louis Stevenson who said, "the journey is more important than arriving at the destination." With the FA Cup First Round looming large this weekend, that dictum can apply to all those harbouring dreams of Wembley glory. They'll enjoy the journey but the final destination will be unlikely (Leeds United [280.00] to lift the trophy)...

Having visited Wembley Stadium recently, I could do with a big priced winner like that just to pay for the two burgers and the programme.

I never actually got near to playing in any of the qualifying rounds of the world's most famous trophy, but my two uncles did, as did one of my old team-mates, who I will describe only as Pete.

Pete was a very decent player and should really have made it as a professional with
the talent he had...strong as anything, never flinched a tackle, and was top drawer on the ball.

He was playing in Ryman Division One at the time and doing pretty well, having joined from our amateur team, but I hadn't seen him for about a month and heard he had scored in the qualifying rounds.

I remember being out on a Friday night and cutting through the Cricket Club at 4am to get home. I stumbled across someone lying on a bench, bottle in hand, fast asleep
...it was Pete. He woke up, asked the time and shot off as he said he had an FA Cup tie against Robert Fleck's team and had to meet early in the morning.

Which is why Pete didn't make it.....a real enigma.

Leeds United [1.59] v Northampton Town [7.2]

The journey starts on Friday night and this game will be Setanta's first ever live FA Cup match, and the good news for us traders is that there are lots more markets rather than just the over 2.5 goals, and we can go in-running!

Having stated a few weeks ago that I was done with Leeds, I just cannot help it and have been lured again, I mentioned their seduction techniques, and right now they are looking like Vanessa Paradis (translated from French: Vanessa Paradise).

Gary McAllister's side seem to be winning every time I don't back them, but they certainly are in form, despite a couple of slip-ups to Southend and Millwall.

Northampton are a huge price, and rightly so. They haven't won in three and are in the grips of an injury crisis. Boss Stuart Gray has big doubts on Akinfenwa, Guttridge and Osman, whilst in the 50/50 camp he has Larkin, Davis and Gilligan.

The Cobblers have signed Reading youngster Nicholas Bignall on loan, but could be without Karl Hawley up front - as parent club Preston may refuse him permission to play.

Personally I am looking forward to seeing a night match from Elland Road again under floodlights, and Gary McAllister's side should have way too much for the visitors. Northampton have scored a measly nine in eight on their travels, and with their problems, will struggle to find the net.

Recommendations:

Leeds United to win 2-0 [8.4]
Back Leeds clean sheet [2.34]

Brighton [2.32] v Hartlepool [3.22]

I fancied Brighton when these two teams met only a few weeks ago in the league, and looking back on the game they probably deserved more than the narrow 1-0 defeat.

The Seagulls have really picked up since since a) the departure of Robbie Savage, b) the loan signing of Brad Johnson, and c) the goals
from Glenn Murray.

Hartlepool are much better at home, they've scored 20 goals at Victoria Park, yet have only registered six on their travels from eight games. A 1-0 defeat at Leyton Orient last weekend is hardly good news and their earlier scoring exploits seem to have deserted them.

Kevin Kyle has since returned to Coventry and another loan deal is unlikely in time for Saturday. I expect Brighton to continue their recent upturn in results.

Recommendations:
Back Brighton [2.14]
Back Brighton to win 1-0

Hereford United [2.24] v Dagenham and Redbridge [3.40]

Scouring through all the fixtures in the cup involving League One teams I tried desperately to find a possible upset. A win here from The Daggers however may not be a surprise due to Hereford's woeful form.

It goes from bad to worse for the Bulls, bottom of League One, no win since August, and worse still......they have only scored a miserable two goals in their last 10 games.

Their luck was summed up last Saturday when loan signing Bruno N'Gotty (yes the former AC Milan star!) sustained a long term injury after seven minutes and could be out for a long period.

A cup distraction may be welcome relief from the pressures of League One, but I fancy Dagenham to cause an upset here. John Still likes his teams to attack, and they'll be fired up after a midweek 5-0 defeat in the JPT. Oh and John Still is a very nice chap.

Recommendations:

Lay Hereford [2.24]

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