FA Cup / Alan Dudman / 05 November 2009 /

As Wembley's Wim Jonk he lost the wand but as tipster he's different mustard. Alan Dudman musters magic bets from the FA Cup first round fixtures featuring League One sides...

Around this time of year I dream of what might have been. Over a decade ago, my then reserve team manager at Ryman League side Edgware, Scott Cousins, moved across north London to manage Wembley (who were then one step away from the Ryman Premier).

Scott explained to me that Wembley needed a natural wideman, a fax was sent and I signed, they were playing Maidenhead the following weekend. I was very excited. My mate Aaron Kirwan (left-back) also made the the move and the Vale Park outfit had themselves a new left-sided axis. Aaron played loads of games - including some high profile pre-season matches. I didn't play loads of games and struggled in the ressies. The wand had deserted me.

Banter at the time was flying around that I was the 'Wim Jonk' of the Bergkamp move to Inter Milan..and that stuck for a while. Training pitches can be a cruel world.

But the first round of the FA Cup always has me dreaming, or the first round proper as it is often referred to. This weekend we have no Wembley, Edgware or indeed Inter. But we do have some tricky ties for our League One boys.

Stockport County [1.35] v Tooting & Mitcham [8.00], the draw [4.50]

Would anyone back Stockport at heavy odds-on? I wouldn't. But does anyone know anything about Ryman Prem side Tooting & Mitcham? Yes, I do.

My uncle (Bobby Dennington), played for them for a number of years, and I actually
was on his stag weekend many moons ago - that party included the current T & M boss George
Wakeling. I have been on the blower to Bobby this week and he told me that Tooting have a
forward who loves scoring...his name his Paul Vines.

Vines has bagged 93 goals in about 150 starts and has scored in every round of the FA
Cup so far. I enquired about his talent, and having found out that Vines has had trials with amongst others Yeovil, Bobby told me he is an out-and-out goalscorer. And some clubs would be desperate for one.

Stockport are in the mire. Financial problems are seeping onto the pitch. Gary Ablett's side have been awful in their last three games - including a couple of maulings. They have a light squad, confidence is low and the pitch is awful. If you are a layer, then [1.35] is the right price, if you are a backer, Tooting would be more attractive at double figures.

Recommendations:

Lay Stockport @ [1.35]
Back over 2.5 goals @ [1.70]

Tranmere Rovers [2.48] v Leyton Orient [2.98], the draw [3.60]

Tranmere are rotten at the moment, their weekend 4-1 defeat at home to Swindon was their worst yet under caretaker boss Les Parry. Parry watched the DVD of that loss three times. I could think of better ways to spend 270 minutes.

Rovers should have a new boss next week, names mentioned this week have been Ray Matthias and Paul Jewell. But one thing is for sure, Parry's initial influence has started to diminish.

Orient are inconsistent, and their early season away form has deserted them. Goals
don't come easy, but they might be able to nick a win at Prenton Park in a horrible
game.

Recommendation:

Back Orient to win 0-1 @ [11.00]
Back under 2.5 goals @ [1.90]

Wycombe [2.52] v Brighton [2.72]. the draw [3.60]

Brighton have no manager. Russell Slade was sacked this week, and chairman Tony Bloom has stated the next decision will be critical. Names in the frame are Steve Coppell and Tony Adams.

Wycombe in the meantime played really well last Saturday and the tide may be turning under Gary Waddock. I have given up trying to read Brighton, but Wycombe are on the upgrade slightly. And they might be able to score here.

Recommendation:

Lay Brighton @ [2.72]

Weekend bets:

Lay Stockport against Tooting @ [1.35]
Lay Brighton against Wycombe @ [2.72]
Back Orient to beat Tranmere 1-0 @ [11.00]

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