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Wayne Riley

FA Cup 2nd Round preview - can Kettering dump out Leeds, and will Northwich Victoria march on?

Published: Thursday, 26 November 2009, 11:03AM

twofootedtackle.com size up the chances of a good old-fashioned FA Cup shock in the 2nd Round this weekend ...

At first glance, this weekend's FA Cup second-round clash between Kettering Town and Leeds United looks like a sure-fire away win: but only for those unaware of these club's recent Cup fortunes.

Leeds travelled to part-timers Histon in the second round last season, and were embarrassed in front of the ITV cameras.

Kettering went two rounds further than Simon Grayson's men by seeing off Lincoln, Notts County and Eastwood Town to set up a pulsating fourth-round tie at Fulham, won 4-2 by the Cottagers.

Indeed, when Leeds drew Kettering it looked a very tricky draw for the Elland Road club but in the three weeks since there has been profound change at Rockingham Road.

The big news was manager Mark Cooper departing for Championship side Peterborough.

The ex-Birmingham midfielder led the Poppies to promotion from the Conference North, and despite his side sitting in the play-off he couldn't resist the draw of the second tier.

But perhaps just as unsettling was the loss of defensive rock Exodus Geohaghan, also to Peterborough. He's been at the heart of the Poppies push up the table and is sure to be missed.

New player-manager Lee Harper is winless so far, while Grayson's men have lost just once this season and sit six points clear at League One's summit. But like any cup tie, the form book goes out the window.

Elsewhere, first-round heroes Northwich Victoria, who knocked out Charlton, will fancy their chances at home to Lincoln City. They may have been disappointed not to draw one of the big guns: but they have every chance of making the third round and a real money-spinner against a Premier League outfit.

League Two's Lincoln may have a familiar name in charge in Chris Sutton, but are winless in six. With leading scorer Mark Danks available again Northwich will be confident.

Staines Town are also aiming to upset League opposition. The Blue Square South side shocked Shrewsbury in the first round thanks to Ali Chabaan's goal (he's known to fans as Ali C).

Their reward is a visit from Millwall who saw off AFC Wimbledon 4-1 in the 1st Round.

The Lions may be angling for the League One play-offs but have gone off the boil since the Wimbledon win, so why can't Staines pull of a shock?

Blue Square South side Bath City face Forest Green Rovers, who nearly upset Derby County last year.

Rovers sit in the Conference relegation zone while Bath are a mere four points from the play-offs in the league below. Having already dumped out Grimsby Town the Romans won't be short of confidence.

Former top-flight outfit Oxford United face fellow Conference side Barrow, while ex-league sides Cambridge United and York City do battle in a close match-up on paper.

Last but not least, Rushden & Diamonds will run out to take on Brighton. The Seagulls' results have improved under new boss Gus Poyet but are still at the wrong end of the League One table, and will find Rushden tricky visitors to the Withdean.

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