No singing in the rain for Harriers fans

Non-league / Gary Boswell / 03 December 2007 / Leave a Comment

Non-League guru Gary Boswell brings us the best bets from the Blue Square Premier's midweek fixtures

Anyone else factor the weather into their football betting? I always register the teams that thrive and those that flounder in the flood waters regularly besetting British non-league grounds. This used to be a November to February thing but you've probably noticed it spreading out a bit in recent years.

It's surprisingly useful and accurate - not unlike ground study in horse race betting. I'm not sure it can cope with the weather we've had in Cumbria today though. Hailstones the size of cricket balls and lightning that made the Bonfire night sky look like a Swan Vesta! Caution required and stakes reduced until we find out the teams that can cope with Armageddon!

Jimmy Quinn's credentials as the manager who can lead his side to the Blue Square Premier title come under the microscope again in Thursday night's Live on Setanta as the U's visit Aggborough. Mark Yates' Harriers remain no more than a solidly mid-table outfit this season whereas Cambridge are clearly title material with still just that defeat against Forest Green in the deficit column.

Recent away victories at Stevenage,Torquay and Burton have taken Cambridge through what was arguably their sticky patch with maximum points and they get right on to the heels of the lead if they can win this.

And they have to be fancied. Early indications that the powerful old guard strikeforce of Fortune-West and Boylan was ably backed up by the talented youngster Scott Rendell have been proved correct. They still have the league's best midfielder in my eyes in Wolleaston but it is arguably the mean defence - just 20 conceded at a goal a game - that has them back in the title race after a spate of damaging draws in late September/early October. It may be a surprise to some, but that constitutes the best defensive record in the top eight of the BSP and they still look to me to be one of the three sides who could win this league this year.

Kidderminster on the other hand are consistently underachieving. Always an awkward team to play, as they proved at Burton a couple of weeks back, they still have problems in the goalkeeping department (Scott Bevan is not Scott Carson but he is one of those goalies with a question mark against his name that makes you wary on wet pitches) and will be missing star striker James Constable who is suspended for this.

Can't see where the Kiddy goals are going to come from so I'll be playing strongly here on the match bet Lay of the home team at up to [3.0] and also staking Cambridge to keep another clean sheet.

There's another midweek Lay on the home team in the offing on Tuesday night as Rushden, fresh from an FA Cup pasting and still with only two home wins all season, play host to Histon.

Steve Fallon's Stutes continue to acquit themselves magnificently in their inaugural BSP season and with six wins on the road from eleven, they promise a stern test for Garry Hill's under achievers.

Watch out for the weather in this one too. I noticed the Diamond's defensive legs seriously wilting on the heavy pitch in Bristol on Saturday and they are one of the sides who definitely do not score well on the Boz meteorological chart. There is also the question of their manager up in court on assault charges to deflect from concentration. Too many negatives for me and the lay looks a certain way to play at [2.6] or under.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

2pt Lay on Rushden & Diamonds at home to Histon - [2.6] or under
2pt Lay on Kidderminster in the Live on Setanta against Cambridge - [3.0] or under