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| Jack Errington in the squad for tonight's game |
In my early days of watching Burnley this competition was a prestigious one in which reserve teams from the top divisions were pitched against first teams from lower down the leagues.
It lost its way at one point and became a pre-season competition under different titles but it returned as the Lancashire Senior Cup ahead of the 2004/05 season with Burnley one of eight clubs taking part.
Burnley were drawn at home against Rochdale but that's where the enthusiasm for being back in the competition came to an end. Our club failed to advertise the game at Turf Moor. Rochdale did and some of their supporters turned up for an afternoon kick off only to learn that Burnley had decided not to permit spectators.
We lost the game, although no one reported on it, and we've not played in the competition since, that is until tonight.
Ours is the second of the first round ties to be played. Oldham are already through to the quarter finals having won 3-0 at Fleetwood three weeks ago with goals from Kirk Millar, Chris Sutherland and Dominic Barrett.
While this is a rare competitive game for us, to follow on from our Under-21 Premier League Cup win against Wigan last week, our opponents Morecambe are currently playing in the West Division of the Central League where they have won one of their five games to date, and that a 4-0 success at Port Vale two weeks ago.
They are one of just eight teams remaining in their league with the East Division even sparser with six clubs involved.
On the goal chart for Morecambe in that win were Joe McGee, Declan Watson(2) and Robbie Threlfall.
They are expected to field a side tonight similar to the one which played at Vale, which was: Andreas Arestidou, Aaron McGowan, Robbie Threlfall, Will Bell, Chris Doyle, Joe McGee, Joe Mwasile, Andrew Fleming, Tom Woods, Danny Green, Declan Watson. Subs: Will Kitchen, Dan Dunleavy, Kyle Lewis, Michael Newton, Jim Smith, Alex Naylor.
Likewise, Burnley's team could be similar to that which won the penalty shoot out against Wigan seven days ago. Kevin Long and Brian Stock played in that game but aren't expected to play tonight and left back Luke Conlan will not feature as he's currently with Northern Ireland under-21s.
Jack Errington is likely to come in for Long with Luke Gallagher a possible replacement in the centre of midfield for Stock. Kyle Brownhill, a summer signing from supposed fierce rivals Stockport, will probably come in at left back for Conlan.
Our team could be: Alex Cisak, Alex Coleman, Jack Errington, Tom Anderson, Kyle Brownhill, Luke Gallagher, Steven Hewitt, Archie Love, Jason Gilchrist, Ryan Noble, Jamie Frost.
Lancashire Senior Cup - 1st Round
FLEETWOOD 0 OLDHAM 3
BURNLEY v MORECAMBE
BLACKPOOL v BOLTON - 22nd October
PRESTON v SOUTHPORT - 29th October
ROCHDALE v BLACKBURN - 29th October
Bye: MANCHESTER UNITED