It’s a 2.00pm kick-off for our Sports Ground Development UCL Cup 2nd Round tie against UCL Premier North side Bourne Town on Saturday with a place in the quarter finals of the competition on offer to the winners.

The Stutes were without a game last weekend, which has given the side time to recover from an arduous October schedule which included 6 games in 18 days.  The refreshed side will now be looking to go again and to follow up the victory over UCL Prem North leaders Eastwood in the previous round.

In his programme notes for the game, Manager Chris Nunn says, “This is a competition which was not high on our priorities at the start of the season, but having now exited the FA Cup and the FA Vase, it has become a competition which we would now like to think we can win.”

Bourne Town will be another stiff test for the Stutes.  The Lincolnshire side have won nine of their last ten games in all competitions, included a 12-3 win over Dunkirk FC in the previous round of the competition (yes, twelve – three!).  They include in their side the North division’s top scorer, Zacorie Allan, who at the last count had 20 goals to his name so far this season.

Bourne Town has made three previous visits to Bridge Road with the latest being an FA Vase First Round tie in November 1990.  On that occasion we were 5-0 winners.  The two sides also met on two occasions in the 1970’s.  In the first meeting in 1972, Bourne Town eliminated us from the FA Trophy, but we exacted revenge a year later with a 1-0 home win in the First Qualifying Round of the FA Cup.

We will this week be welcoming to Bridge Road the local branch of the British Legion, who will be leading the teams out before the game as part of their Ceremony of Remembrance.

Season Tickets are valid for this game, but for the rest of us admission is £10 for adults, £6.00 for concessions (including students, retired and serving Armed Forces), £2.00 for Under 18 and accompanied Under 11s go free.  The club bar will be open from 12.30 and showing live Premiership football.  The food kiosk will also be open serving hot food and drinks throughout the afternoon, including quality sausages and burgers supplied by the Histon Chop Shop.

Don’t forget that kick-off is at 2.00pm to make maximum use of the natural daylight now that the clocks have gone back. The winners will be decided on the day with the game going into a penalty shootout if the scores are level after full time.  So, get behind your village team and give your support to the Stutes!