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Dorchester Town face Stevenage Borough at the Avenue Stadium

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Holders Boro to secure safe passage

Saturday December 15, 2007

Altrincham v York City

Prices correct at time of writing (12.30pm, Wednesday December 12, 2007).

Home 17/10 Draw 9/4 Away 13/10

Altrincham are currently fourth from bottom in the Blue Square Premier and have won just twice at home this season. York, who are in 14th spot, are set to appoint a new manager by January, with caretaker duo Colin Walker and Eric Winstanley currently in charge. The Minstermen won 2-1 at Ebbsfleet United last week.

Altrincham and York have met in Cup competitions before, famously in the FA Cup fourth round and drew 2-2 in the Blue Square Premier earlier this season and they will meet in a live Setanta match in January as well. Altrincham will hope home advantage takes them through this time. The Robins could probably do without an FA Trophy run as they have got to concentrate on the league. Altrincham were upset that the game against Torquay was off at the weekend because it means they've got a long trip down there in midweek and that's a fair journey. But I'm going to take a replay here at 9/4. I think it should be a cracking Cup tie.

Verdict: Draw

Colwyn Bay v Burton Albion

Home 6/1 Draw 7/2 Away 1/3

The Burton fans were very disappointed to be knocked out of the FA Cup with that late goal against Barnet in a 1-0 defeat on Tuesday night, especially as they'd hit the bar and played really well. Albion boss Nigel Clough will have to motivate his side here against Colwyn Bay, who will have vocal support and will be really up for this match. The Welsh side at 6/1 are a big price but I don't expect them to come away with a victory. 7/2 the replay is a possibility. Burton are very short at 1/3 on their travels, they are a class above Colwyn Bay but I'm going to take a replay here.

Verdict: Draw

Dorchester Town v Stevenage Borough

Home 100/30 Draw 5/2 Away 4/6

Dorchester are second from bottom of the Blue Square South but beat Worthing in a replay to reach this round, while Stevenage are holders of the FA Trophy.

If there is a banker in the Trophy this week I think its Stevenage. Although Boro came unstuck in the FA Cup when they went to Exeter, I think the holders at 4/6 are a terrific bet to win at Dorchester. I know we can have some upsets in this competition, but Dorchester aren't playing well and I think Peter Taylor's side are a good bet. In my opinion, 4/6 is the best bet in the FA Trophy involving a Blue Square Premier side this week.

Verdict: Away

Exeter City v Salisbury City

Home 4/6 Draw 12/5 Away 7/2

Exeter have just one home defeat all season, while Salisbury have won just twice on the road and lost 3-1 at Stevenage in their last match.

Home advantage should be crucial here and again I would imagine Exeter will win this one. 4/6 again looks appealing and a good double here is Stevenage and Exeter. It's been the away form that's let Salisbury down this season and I think it's likely to continue, with Exeter to march through to the next round.

Verdict: Home win

Hayes & Yeading v Aldershot Town

Home 100/30 Draw 5/2 Away 4/6

Hayes & Yeading amalgamated in the summer and are currently in the lower reaches of the Blue Square South. Aldershot are currently top of the Blue Square Premier and have scored 15 goals in their last four games.

If you want to make Aldershot a treble with Stevenage and Exeter, Aldershot again at 4/6 look the business here. There may well be some upsets this week in the FA Trophy but I don't envisage this being one of them. Even if they were to get a draw, Aldershot would probably settle for that in one way because their home form is so good. They could do without the extra fixture though so they'll probably go for the win. That has tipped the balance in favour of an Aldershot victory for me. It's a potential banana skin for the Shots but I expect them to come through.

Verdict: Away win

Sutton United v Forest Green Rovers

Home 9/2 Draw 13/5 Away 8/15

Sutton are currently bottom of the Blue Square South and my memory still goes back to an FA Cup tie in the 1988/89 season, when Sutton knocked out the FA Cup holders Coventry City. Forest Green have been a revelation this season and won at Rotherham in the FA Cup before losing narrowly 3-2 at Swindon in the second round. But they lost to Droylsden recently in the league and Sutton are a huge price here at 9/2. Despite the fact that I'm a big Forest Green follower this season, I think the odds are massive on Sutton to cause a big upset here. More realistically a draw is the best they can hope for. I don't think I'd be lumping on Forest Green at 8/15 and it'll be interesting to see the team news. Occasionally teams like to rest players when they are having a good run in the league. The price suggests Sutton should be supported and 9/2 looks good value.

Verdict: Home win

Angus Loughran Best Bets

Treble Stevenage, Aldershot, Exeter all 4/6

Sutton 9/2

Colwyn Bay v Burton Albion Draw 7/2

Banker Bet Stevenage Borough 4/6