Alliance rivals seek final place

10:30am Sat Feb 11, 2012

With every game across the Newark Alliance league postponed because of the icy conditions last weekend, attention turns to cup action this Sunday as two local sides face each other for a place in the final of the Notts Intermediate Cup.

Farndon United take on top division rivals Coddington in the semi-final of the competition.

The winner will face either Burton Joyce or Old Mill in the final at Eagle Valley, Arnold, on April 18.

Coddington will be looking to make their first county cup final since the 1980s.

They go into the fixture in good form having recently beaten Farndon 1-0 in the Sam Arnold Memorial Trophy.

Their route to the last four started with a bye in the first round then a walkover in the second after Calverton Cherry Tree failed to raise a side.

Their first competitive fixture in this year’s competition came in the third round when they edged past fellow Newark Alliance Premier Division side Collingham 4-2 at Station Road.

In the quarter-final, Coddington were comfortable 7-2 victors at Stapleford Lane against Notts Medics.

Assistant manager Ian Watson said making the final would be a significant achievement for the club.

“Having not been to this stage of the competition for a long time we are desperate to emulate the feats of the team of the 1980s,” he said.

“We have had the edge over Farndon this season but this is going to be a very tight affair with so much riding on it.”

United’s route to the semis also started with a bye in the opener, before they demolished Nottingham United (Sunday) at Marsh Lane 9-0.

In round three Premier high-flyers Farnsfield Villa were dispatched 2-1.

Farndon needed extra-time to see off Rifle Volunteer in the quarter-finals, eventually winning 5-2 after the tie was finely poised at 2-2 at the end of 90 minutes.

Farndon have never won the trophy but did reach a semi-final two years ago and a final the year before.

Manager Andy Duckmanton said: “This is going to be a game between two evenly matched sides — games against Coddington are always good games.

“It would mean a lot to this club to make the final but I am sure Coddington will feel the same way.

“The only problem is the weather — the cold and snow may well mean all fixtures are called off for the weekend.”

Every other Alliance side returns to league action, weather permitting, with the pick of the games in the top division taking place at Farnsfield Villa as they entertain Gunthorpe.