THE Blues are back in home action this weekend as they host Coventry United in the Emirates FA Cup Third Qualifying round (3pm kick off), writes Craig Cooper.

For both sides it's a chance to reach the Fourth Qualifying round The winner will bag almost £6K in prize money and potentially get a big National League side draw in the next round. The game has all the makings of a cracker.

Coventry United play in the Northern Premier League Midlands Division and currently sit in 8th spot. They have 14 points from 9 league games, with a goal difference of 0. Two Joseph Evans goals last weekend saw them win 2-0 at Barwell, while the Blues were beaten 3-2 at league leaders Real Bedford in midweek.

In the FA Trophy, Coventry lost 3-1 at home to Kidsgrove Athletic at the end of August in the First Qualifying round. The Blues lost 3-0 to Dartford last Saturday in the same competition.

Simeon Cobourne is Coventry's top scorer with 5 goals in all competitions while Benji Adomako and Cody Mullan have made the most appearances with 12 each across all competitions.

Coventry United have won four games in the Emirates FA Cup this season.

They started their FA Cup campaign on the second Saturday in August, winning 3-1 away at Sutton Coldfield Town before they won on their travels again in the Preliminary Round at Whitchurch Alport, again by a 3-1 scoreline. The Midlands side went a goal down early on but Charlie Shaw equalised before a late brace from Simeon Cobourne on 85 and 97 minutes sent them through.

They were paired with Bedworth United in First Qualifying round and two early goals from Leo Stone and Cobourne again set the tone and even though Bedworth pulled a goal back late on, Coventry United held on to go through into the Second Qualifying round.

In that round they recorded a fantastic 1-0 victory at National North Hednesford Town, a side playing two leagues higher. Charlie Faulkner’s fifth minute goal was enough to put them in the hat for the Third Qualifying round. The tie at Hednesford Town was watched by 1,351 fans at Keys Park Stadium.

Overall, Coventry United have scored nine goals in this season’s FA Cup and conceded just three times.

A FEW COVENTRY FACTS

THEY were founded just 13 years ago in 2013 after they took over Coventry Spartans.

They are managed by Terry Anderson, who has managed the club since 2016.

The sides home kit is red and green while away from home they play in an all green kit.

Chris Cox is their highest appearance maker with nearly 200 appearances to his name,.

Last season, they were playing at Step 5 in the Football Pyramid and were FA Vase quarter-finalists, while this season’s run in the FA Cup is the furthest they have got in the competition.

They were promoted to Step 4 when they came second in the United Counties League Premier Division South last season and won promotion via the play-offs.

They beat Aylestone Park 4-1 and Atherstone Town 2-0 (after extra time) to win promotion.

OCTOBER FIXTURES FOR THE BLUES

Saturday 10th: Racing Club Warwick (Away)
Tuesday 13th: AFC Sudbury (Away - Suffolk Premier Cup Second Round)
Saturday 17th: Stratford Town (HOME)
Tuesday 20th: Kettering Town (Away)
Tuesday 27th: Peterborough Sports (Away)
Saturday 31st: Alvechurch (HOME)

Saturday’s cup tie is in partnership with: SIZEWELL C

Match Sponsors: SOLE BAY FINANCIAL PLANNING

Match Ball Sponsors: TREVOR ELMY & PAUL ANDREWS

MATCH INFORMATION
Blues v Coventry United
Emirates FA Cup Third Qualifying round
Saturday, October 3rd, 3pm kick off
The Flannery Stadium, Victory Road, Leiston, Suffolk, IP16 4DQ
Tel: 01728 830308

ONLINE tickets can be purchased here

THIS IS AN ALL PAY FIXTURE, SEASON TICKETS NOT APPLICABLE

Admission Prices on the turnstiles: Adults £13
Concessions (over 65s) £10
Students (with ID) £8
Under 16’s £3
Under 5’s Free of charge

40-page Matchday programme available on the turnstiles only:£2.50