On Saturday, the second round of the FA Cup sees us entertain The Bloods. The gangsta rapper in me would have liked us to have an injury crisis, so that I could refer to us as "The Crips," but that's not to be. (At this point I'd better apologise to Droylsden fans for what must be an old joke, but its the first chance I've ever had to use it.) Droylsden will be the 321st team to try conclusions with us on the Rec since it saw its first game in 1971.
People like me who attend pre-season friendlies will remember that we've met Saturday's opponents three times on their soil, thanks to the Kevin Randall connection. I well remember looking at the programme for one and seeing that the game was apparently for the "Kevin Randall Memorial Trophy," thinking that the old boy looked as fit as a fiddle only ten minutes previously, when I saw him getting off the bus.
The 1988-9 season saw us win 3-2 there; a 3-3 draw followed in 1994-5 when, only a few weeks before his 50th birthday, Kevin himself got on the scoresheet, along with triallist Chris Freestone, who later went on to play for Middlesbrough and Northampton. A year later a mixed side including goalscorers Darren Roberts and Dave Moss, as well as triallists like Rochdale's Mark Stuart and the Australian Brenley Jefferd won 3-2 there, with Kevin making an appearance from the bench, obviously in deference to his advancing years!
The Bloods came into the FA Cup at the second qualifying round and beat Bradford (Park Avenue) 2-1 in a game given added spice by the presence of five ex-Droylsden men in an Avenue side that also included ex-Spireite Chris Bettney.An injury-time winner saw them squeak past Gateshead in the 3rd qualifying round, while they needed a replay to get past Belper Town to set up their conquest of Darlo in the first round (proper.) We on the other hand improved our record against non-league sides by knocking out Mansfield in a manner that wasn't the most attractive, perhaps, but was conclusive enough.
We will be without the suspended Alan Goodall and Derek Niven, whose treatment for testicular cancer continues. Lloyd Kerry will need a fitness test before his place can be confirmed. Given that Goodall started the last game in one of the two centre-midfield berths, I'd expect Jamie Winter to return for him. Droylsden may be without keeper Craig Mawson, who has an ankle injury, but he is their only doubt.
The game will be covered live on Spireites World, from around 2.50pm.
