Cup specialists US out to cull Badgers again!
US Portsmouth boss Glenn Turnbull knows Brockenhurst will have done their homework ahead of this weekend’s FA Vase second round tie.
Brock boss Pat McManus had sent Turnbull his scouting notes on Street, just in case the Western League side had beaten the Badgers last Sunday and were coming to Portsmouth this weekend.
As it was, Brock set up an all-Wessex tie – US’ third successive one in the tournament this term - with a penalty shoot-out victory.
‘The report Pat sent me on Brock was 10 pages long,’ said Turnbull.
‘They’d watched Street twice and knew everything about them - their system, how they lined up at freekicks.
‘That means they will know a lot more about us than we do about them.
‘But we’ll line-up exactly the same way we always do - I’m not one for changing things depending on the opposition.’
Turnbull decided against travelling to Brock last Sunday to watch his side’s next Vase opponents, but it’s not as if he doesn’t know anything about them.
After all, the Vase tie will be Brock’s second visit to the Victory Stadium in three months - a 77th minute winner from James Franklyn gave the hosts a Wessex League Cup success in
October.
That was one of seven times US have beaten Wessex Premier opposition since August.
They have also defeated Baffins, Horndean and Cowes in friendlies, Tadley in the Wessex League Cup and AFC Portchester and Bournemouth in the Vase.
Should they claim an eighth win against Wessex Premier opposition this weekend, US could well face another club from that division - Bashley - in the last 64.
Victory against Brock would take US into the third round of the Vase for the first time in their history.
It would cap a great week, as they won 4-1 at Andover Town on Tuesday to reach the semi-finals of the Wessex League Cup for the first time.
‘I’d prefer to win our next league game than beat Brockenhurst,’ said Turnbull.
‘The league is always our priority, but winning is a habit.
‘I’m the sort of person who would throw the board in the air if I lost at Ludo.
‘Even if it’s a kick about on the beach, I want to win.
‘Hopefully we can get some momentum by carrying on winning.’
US have banked £1,550 from beating Portchester and Bournemouth in the Vase. While not a huge sum, it’s big money at their level.
They will trouser another £900 if they can dump Brock out, and £1,125 if they can beat Bashley or Cornish village side Millbrook at home in the third round.
It’s a great opportunity to progress,’ said Turnbull.
‘The draw could have been a lot worse - we could be spending four and a half hours going to Cornwall.
‘But Brock will think it’s a great draw as well, and so will
Bashley.’
Turnbull was impressed with attacker Will Tickle when Brock visited in the League Cup.
‘He was easily their best player, even though he’s leftfooted he played on the right of their forward three.
‘Of all the Wessex Premier players we’ve seen in recent months, he was one of the best.’
Tickle has missed Brock’s last three games, due to a red card received in the 6-1 thrashing at Fareham immediately prior to losing at US.
But he is expected to return to the Badgers starting XI this weekend.
Defender Tom Cain returns to the US side after missing the Andover win.