Preparations far from ideal as Bourton get set for a semi-final (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Preparations far from ideal as Bourton get set for a semi-final

BOURTON Rovers are looking to take their first-ever step into a Gloucestershire County Senior Cup final - but preparations has been far from ideal for Tony Spedding's Northern Senior League side.

It is seven years since Rovers progressed as far in this competition and, as the only second division side left, underdogs Rovers play host to Lydney Town in this Saturday's semi-final for a chance of meeting either Warden Hill Utd or Smiths Athletic in the final in May.

Last Saturday's game against Harrow Hill fell victim to a frozen pitch while the previous week's fixture was lost due to Woodmancote's withdrawal from the Northern Senior League.

As a result, Bourton will have been without a game for three weeks by the time the Severnsiders pay them a visit and this disappointing lack of competitive action is not helped by the Rissington Road side's poor form going into the fixture.

It is over a month since their last league success, a somewhat fortuitous 4-3 victory on the road against Newent Town, and Rovers have lost their last two league encounters to mid-table sides Staunton & Corse and Kingswood.

This is in stark contrast to the start of 2004 when top-of-the- table Rovers recorded an emphatic cup quarter-final victory over Division One side Longford.

The lay-off yet may prove to be a blessing in disguise, giving vital recovery time from a spate of injuries that has hit Sped-ding's squad.

For it has robbed him of over half the side and even forcing the manager - albeit still one of the fittest players at the club - to don boots as he nears the grand old age of 50.

Bourton should have front-runners Matthew Winter and mark Payne to call on who between them have notched up 42 goals in the campaign to date - Winter 25 and Payne 17.

Lydney, currently lying fourth in Division One and showing improved form this season, go into this clash as favourites off the back of a 0-0 draw with table toppers Shortwood Utd Reserves.

Saturday's tie kicks off at 2pm with Rovers looking for as much home support as is possible.