The Bulls start their season with a trip to Leicestershire to take on Kirby Muxloe in the Extra Preliminary Round of the FA Cup. Kirby Muxloe ply their trade in the United Counties League, which is a step 5 league. Therefore, the Bulls head to Leicestershire as the favourites for this cup tie.
This is the first competitive outing for the Bulls this season and therefore we have the opportunity for the new signings to make their competitive debuts for the Bulls. Preseason has been very good with good results against strong opposition in Grantham Town and Matlock Town and the only dark evening was a trip to Swallownest (well a School near Barlborough to be exact).
So with Rudy Funk having all of his new signings in place and with the vast majority of last seasons promotion winning squad still with the Bulls we look forward to an exciting season. Hopefully another good run in the FA Cup. Who will forget the afternoon when we played Boston United at the Forest Town Arena and we achieved our record attendance of 613 and all the memories in the run up to that. The season before saw us entertain our now Evo stik league friends, Stamford AFC, going down by the odd goal in three. Another afternoon like either of them would be great but lets hope we can go further.
Firstly, lets focus on our opponents. Kirby Muxloe started their season last weekend and have now played twice once winning by 3 goals to one and then a thumping defeat on Tuesday night away to Desborough Town by 5 goals to 1. Playing at step 5 in the United Counties league they will surely provide the Bulls with a test which we will be ready for. Kirby Muxloe have exited the FA cup in the extra preliminary round once in the last nine occasions. Their best performance was achieved in the 2016/17 season when the reached the second qualifying round of the FA Cup. There last success in the league was winning the East Midlands Counties League in 2008/09.
Kirby Muxloe were formed in 1910 and they finished 12th in the United Counties league last season. They are managed John Love and play in blue and Yellow.
So what about the Bulls. We go in search of another FA Cup run and for a change will be the favourites in an FA Cup tie. The Bulls have never been beaten by a team from Leicestershire and have only been beaten once at this stage of the competition, away at South Normanton Athletic in our first outing in the FA Cup.
The Bulls will be without goalkeeper Jason White for the trip due to suspension and Striker Kieron Wells also due to Suspension. Both would also miss a replay if required. Phil Buxton will also be missing from the matchday squad due to travelling. Rudy Funk and Mark Ward will have the rest of the squad up and raring to go at the start of a new season.
The winners of this tie will play either Dunkirk FC or Rainworth Miners Welfare FC in the Preliminary Round of the FA Cup on Saturday 25th August. They also play their game tomorrow afternoon. In the event of the scores being level after 90 minutes tomorrow then we will have a replay at the Forest Town Arena on Tuesday 14th August with a 7.45pm kick off.
Let's see as many Bulls supporters in Leicestershire on Saturday afternoon to cheer the Bulls on to another famous FA cup victory and progression to the next round. The winners of the game receive £2,250 from the FA prize fund and the loser receives a sum of £750. A new addition for this season which l believe is very good and brings it in line with the FA Vase in terms of allocation of prize monies.
Come on you Bulls!!!
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