Carling Cup first-round preview
Portsmouth became the first team to progress to the second round of the Carling Cup last night with a 2-1 victory over League Two newcomers Stevenage.
Competing in the first round of the League Cup for the first time since 2002, Portsmouth, who could only name four substitutes, avoided a potential banana skin with first-half goals from 18-year-old Nadir Ciftci and experienced midfielder Michael Brown. Darren Murphy netted for the hosts.
Tonight sees 31 first-round matches take place, with the remaining three fixtures being played on Wednesday evening.
Gordon Strachan will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing opening-day defeat against Ipswich in the Championship on Saturday by seeing off League Two side Chesterfield this evening at Saltergate. The pre-season favourites for the Championship title have spent an awful lot of money over the summer, recruiting players from the SPL, and a defeat tonight against sub-standard opposition could leave Strachan sweating on his future, even at this early stage. Due to the impeccably timed international friendlies taking place this week, Boro are without Kris Boyd, Barry Robson, Stephen McManus, Kevin Thomson and Tarmo Kink, who have been called up by their respective countries.
Like many sides who face superior opposition this evening, Chesterfield have nothing to lose and will take heart from the weakened side put out by Boro. Their memorable 1997 FA Cup semi-final between the two sides will also fill them with confidence; the Spireites forced a replay that day, following an incredible 3-3 draw at Old Trafford.
Another team that may well put out a depleted side are current Championship front-runners QPR, who host Port Vale at Loftus Road. Neil Warnock hinted after Saturday’s 4-0 thrashing of Barnsley that key players will be rested for the visit of Vale, but considering Rangers have never beaten tonight’s opponents in a cup competition, and were knocked out of this tournament by them in 1960 and 2006, Warnock may need to re-think his squad rotation policy.
Southampton will be looking to continue their fantastic record in the competition against south-coast neighbours Bournemouth. The Saints have only ever been eliminated in the first round of the competition twice (1961 and 2007) and will be looking to give their fans something to cheer following their 1-0 defeat to Plymouth at the weekend.
Gillingham may not be able to welcome back their former striker Simeon Jackson as his new club, Norwich, have admitted he may not play due to a gentleman’s agreement between the clubs. The stats don’t bode well for the Gills who have lost the last seven meetings between the two sides.
Cash-strapped Watford have revealed that a cup run could prove crucial in their battle against their financial struggles and they travel to Aldershot tonight, keen to keep up their record of progressing to the second round, a feat which they have achieved for the last nine seasons.
Full Carling Cup first-round draw
Tuesday, 10 August 2010
Aldershot v Watford R1, 19:45
Barnsley v Rochdale, R1, 19:45
Bradford v Nottm Forest, R1, 19:45
Brentford v Cheltenham, R1, 19:45
Carlisle v Huddersfield, R1, 19:45
Chesterfield v Middlesbrough, R1, 19:45
Crewe v Derby, R1, 19:45
Doncaster v Accrington Stanley, R1, 19:45
Exeter v Ipswich, R1, 19:45
Hereford v Colchester, R1, 19:45
Leeds United v Lincoln City, R1, 19:45
Leicester v Macclesfield, R1, 19:45
MK Dons v Dag & Red, R1, 19:45
Morecambe v Coventry, R1, 19:45
Northampton v Brighton, R1, 19:45
Norwich v Gillingham, R1, 19:45
Oxford Utd v Bristol Rovers, R1, 19:45
Peterborough v Rotherham, R1, 19:45
Plymouth v Notts County, R1, 19:45
QPR v Port Vale, R1, 19:45
Scunthorpe v Oldham, R1, 19:45
Sheff Wed v Bury, R1, 19:45
Shrewsbury v Charlton, R1, 19:45
Southampton v Bournemouth, R1, 19:45
Southend v Bristol City, R1, 19:45
Stockport v Preston, R1, 19:45
Swansea v Barnet, R1, 19:45
Swindon v Leyton Orient, R1, 19:45
Walsall v Tranmere, R1, 19:45
Wycombe v Millwall, R1, 19:45
Yeovil v Crystal Palace, R1, 19:45
Wednesday, 11 August 2010
Cardiff v Burton Albion, R1, 19:45
Hartlepool v Sheff Utd, R1, 19:45
Torquay v Reading, R1, 19:45
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