William Hill Scottish Cup Replays 9th-12th November

[bawsak]

Auchinleck Talbot v Stranraer Auchinleck win 19/10 (Bwin) Auchinleck Talbot are the best Junior team in Scotland - they may even be the best non-league team (there are different organisations of non-league football in Scotland - the Juniors (SJFA) being a separate entity from Highland League, East of Scotland and South of Scotland leagues which are affiliated to the SFA . Unlike England there are no avenues for Scottish non-league clubs to enter League 2 so no matter how good they are they will remain non-league unless there is league reconstruction. Auchinleck regularly pluck part time players from league 1 and league 2 and keep players who are sought by teams in these leagues. Bottom line, Auchinleck's squad is full of players who are League 1 / top of League 2 standard so they are on a par with Sranraer. Effectively what we have here is 2 evenly matched teams where the away side is the favourite so the value lies with the home side. This could be the biggest away crowd Stranraer will face this season other than when they go to Rangers, Dunfermline or Ayr Utd and it will certainly be the most hostile. Auchinleck is a village of 3000 people but they are football mad and don't be surprised if 1/3 of the village is there today. Last week, Auchinleck missed a penalty to go 3-1 up and Stranraer grabbed a 93rd minute equaliser. The value lies with Auchinleck for me. Auchinleck to qualify is 13/10 (Stranraer are part-time pros so shouldn't have any fitness edge if there is extra-time) also at Bwin for a safer bet but I will be taking the straight win.