Salisbury away day for the Linnets

From the Echo, first published Tuesday 14th Oct 2003.

LYMINGTON AND NEW MILTON learned yesterday that it will be Salisbury City who stand between them and a place in the FA Cup first round proper.

The local derby will take place on Saturday, October 25 at Salisbury's Partridge Way ground and is a game that is sure to catch the imagination with the lucrative prize on offer.

Both sides will have been happy to avoid the `big guns' in the draw, with the Nationwide Conference sides entering the draw at this stage.

Linnets got their name in the hat by dismissing Highworth Town 2-0 on Saturday, while the Wiltshire side pulled off a thrilling giant killing, dumping Doc Martens Premier outfit Havant and Waterlooville out 4-3.

Leigh Phillips, who cracked in 42 goals for Linnets last year before making the move to the Whites in the summer, will miss the chance to help put his old side out of the cup.

The 25 year-old, who has been plagued by disciplinary problems throughout his career, was red carded in his side's FA Trophy defeat against Clevedon 10 days ago.

This coupled with a red card earlier in the season means he begins a four-match ban starting this Saturday.

However, Steve Strong, who also made the move from Fawcetts Field to Partridge Way in the summer, will relish the opportunity to get one over on his former club.

Linnets boss Ian Robinson knows they face a tough task, but is confident of his side's chances.

He said: "It's a great tie. It could have been a lot better if we'd been drawn at home, but it could have been a lot worse.

"We will respect Salisbury as they are from a higher division, but the way we were playing, I would fancy our chances against most sides.

"They have a great stadium, vociferous fans and it has the makings of a great FA Cup tie."

Archive Home