Aldershot v Bury - FA Cup Preview

Fellow League Two outfit Bury will be the visitors to the Recreation Ground for the second time in three weeks as the FA Cup gets underway this weekend.

It'll be Jason Dodd's last match in charge before he takes on a role at Southampton. Ironically, his first match in charge was that 3-2 defeat at the hands of Bury three weeks ago.

As for the team news, Marvin Morgan could start after missing the draw at Rotherham through injury. Louis Soares is a doubt after picking up an ankle injury in training, while Dave Winfield is suspended after his red card at Shrewsbury a fortnight ago.

Bury have major injury worries coming into this game. Andy Morrell has been training this week but is still a doubt, while Andy Bishop is out with a groin injury. Damien Allen, Danny Carlton, Tom Elliot and David Worrall are also expected to be out.

As always when it's FA Cup time, the smaller clubs dream of a money spinning cup run that will bring in some much needed cash to the clubs. The winners of this tie will recieve £18,000 and will be just one round away from a potential tie against Man Utd, Liverpool or, err, Peterborough.

In the build up to the game Shots manager Jason Dodd told the club's official website 'The FA Cup is still the biggest competition in the world.' and 'This is a good financial chance for the club too. It is an opportunity to progress and earn some money too. We know the benefits that are possible.'

Bury reported a loss of £115,861 for the last year, in which the Shakers missed out on promotion to League One by just a single goal, before losing on penalites in the play offs.

The financial benefit that this competition presents are appreciated by Alan Knill aswell. He said 'If we could get through an extra two or three rounds in the JPT and/or the FA Cup, I am sure we won't be far off balancing everything.' Although he spoke of his disappointment at the tie they're faced with, as he goes on to say 'We are disappointed (with the FA Cup draw) because it is not a pay-day as such, there won't be a bumper crowd and the expense of the hotel and travel is significant. But you have to get through these rounds to try and land one of the bigger clubs later on down the line.'

Bury's form in the league has improved and after a slow start the Shakers are up to 9th in the league table. Two points and one place ahead of the Shots and are unbeaten in their last 9 in all competitions, which has seen them progress in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy too.

Last season Bury were eliminated in the 1st round of the competition, after losing 1-0 at home to Gillingham. Aldershot's adventure ended with a 3-0 defeat at the Den against League One outfit Millwall, after beating Rotherham by the same scoreline in a replay at the Don Valley Stadium.

Aldershot Town's best performance in the Cup came in 2006/07, when they made it into Round 3 before losing 4-2 away at Blackpool. Bury, on the other hand, have won the Cup twice in 1900 and 1903. They hold the record for the biggest FA Cup final win, when they thrashed Derby County 6-0 in the 1903 final.

In the event of a replay the two sides will do battle again at Gigg Lane on Tuesday 17th November.

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