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The next phase of BT’s great sporting gamble begins tonight with coverage of the greatest club cup competition in the world (as they will surely dub it). We’ve reached the first round proper as Football League teams join the fray, and there are some enticing games for anyone on the lookout for a cup upset.
Tonight sees a meeting between two former winners fallen on hard times: everyone’s favourite second team, AFC Wimbledon, hosting Coventry City, now playing their home games at Northampton’s Sixfields stadium. Sunday’s game (at 1.30pm on ITV) is from exactly that stadium, with Aidy Boothroyd’s struggling Cobblers looking to avoid a humiliating exit against Conference South high-flyers Bishop’s Stortford. The second-round draw will follow, leaving Port Vale and Shortwood United in the odd position of knowing exactly who they might play by the time their tie kicks off on Monday evening.
BT Sport 1’s cameras will be there, doubtless hoping Shortwood can make a nonsense of the 120-plus places dividing the two teams and cause a major surprise. An annual highlight of the footballing calendar, and another opportunity to see how Jake Humphrey and co handle the spotlight.