Its County Cup day this weekend, which means that the first team, whose opponents were due to be Shortwood United, do not have a game because Shortwood are still in the GFA Senior Amateur Cup while the Reserve team are away in the Junior version and the thirds are at home in the Primary trophy.

The Reserves are away to Cheltenham League Division Two rivals Apperley & Tewkesbury Dynamos, which means that they have not had to alter their plans for the weekend at all since their win in the last round, because they had been due to play the same opposition, away from home, in a League game this Saturday anyway.   Apperley & Tewkesbury Dynamos, who play in Apperley and who are the love child that has emanated from the Summer wedding of Apperley FC and Tewkesbury Dynamos FC, are currently third in Division Two, just two points behind the Reserves, having played the same number of games.  Last Saturday, whilst the Reserves were beating Northleach Town 4-1, thanks to Jamie Roberts 855^th goal against the Cotswolders since records began, Apperley & Tewkesbury Dynamos were gaining a very creditable away win against Dowty Dynamos, to maintain their challenge at the top of the table.  So far this season, Apperley & Tewkesbury Dynamos have dropped 5 points at home, losing once – to Northway, two weeks ago - and drawing once - against Gala Wilton, back in September - in the 5 League games they have played on their own patch.  Then again, though, the Reserves away form hasn’t been the best of late, with the side’s only two League defeats of the season both coming away from Cheltenham Road.  Last season, of course, Apperley & Tewkesbury Dynamos didn’t exist, but we did play Tewkesbury Dynamos in what was their inaugural season in the second tier of the Cheltenham League.  In fact, we played them three times, because in addition to the 3-3 away draw in the opening game of the campaign and the 4-0 victory at home in January, the two teams also met at Apperley in the Charity Cup almost exactly a year ago.  On this occasion, the Reserves were victorious by 5-1 thanks, in no small measure, to a goal from Matt Hall – who was playing in goal at the time!!!  This time out, Manager James Mole has pretty much decided to stick with the squad that has served him so well in the County Junior Cup so far this season, especially for the trip to Aylburton in the last round, which means, in particular, that Matt Hall will be used in his more accustomed position on pitch for the trip to Apperley.  Rob Vaughan is also included in the squad following his excellent recent run of form in the thirds.

For their own part, the Third team, meanwhile, will have Bishops Cleeve Playing Fields all to themselves when they will entertain Bibury Reserves, from Division Two of the Cirencester League.  For those who are not in the know, which is pretty much everyone who doesn’t come from Cirencester and, in all probability, a fair few people who do, it is difficult to know what to make of the Cirencester League.  Whereas the other three main Leagues in Gloucestershire, below the Northern Senior League, have numerous divisions and loads of clubs, the Cirencester League has two Divisions and only 26 teams.  The top ranking sides in the First Division – such as last season’s Champions, The Beeches – generally play in the Intermediate Cup but, by the time you get down to mid table in Division Two – which is where Bibury Reserves are at the moment – the teams are all in the GFA’s Primary competition!  Bibury actually used to be in the Cheltenham League until relatively recent times but, now, both of their teams are engaged in the two divisions of the of a League that had its right to promote its Champions directly into the NSL removed 3 years ago.  This season, Bibury Reserves have done well away from home, winning 3 and losing one of the League matches that they have played on their travels and booking their place in the last 16 with a 3-2 win at Hardwicke in the previous round.  Prior to that, they saw off Tewkesbury Town Reserves, who have hovered around the upper echelons of Division Five all season, 5-1 at home in their first match in the competition, at a time when the visitors that day boasted a 100% record in the Cheltenham League.  At this stage of the season, life can get really complicated with regard to team selection if one or more teams have an extended run in the various County Cups and the vagaries of the rules concerning eligibility have produced a third team with a rather unfamiliar look for this coming Saturday.  Garth Powell, who featured in the last round against Wickwar, returns to a squad which also accommodates both Steve and Shaun Piper and sees Garry Lozynsky continue on the comeback trail - so local tobacconists should see an increase in profits on Saturday morning!