It’s FA Cup time, and United enter the competition before the first round proper for the first time since 1961 with their trip to Dagenham & Redbridge. While some people may consider the cup an unwelcome distraction from the league, it actually gives the players a chance to play a competitive game without the pressure of a league fixture, and it could lead to a potentially money-spinning tie in the first round. Should Oxford lose, it would be the first time since 1957 that they haven’t appeared in the first round draw.

Jim Smith has to decide whether or not to change a winning team, as Rob Duffy has now served his suspension and is available for selection. However, Yemi Odubade and Steve Basham struck up a decent partnership in the 3-0 win at Cambridge last Friday, with Yemi scoring twice. The only injury worry from that game was Eddie Anaclet’s dead leg, from which he has fully recovered. This being the FA Cup, Smith is unlikely to experiment with the side, and youngsters such as Billy Beechers and Josh Kennet will have to make do with a place on the bench, at best.

Daggers lost their home league encounter with Oxford 1-0, with Yemi scoring the goal after United had been reduced to ten men following Barry Quinn’s dismissal in the 21st minute. Daggers’ only other defeat at Victoria Road was last Saturday, when they surprisingly lost 3-1 to Kidderminster, to allow United to go five points clear at the top of the Conference. But this is the Cup, and league (or non-league) form goes out the window. However, this is the tie of the round, with the top two teams in the competition facing each other. There will be a large, atmospheric crowd, and this will be an opportunity for both teams to test themselves. Rage Online reckons that it won’t be the only opportunity, and that a 1-1 draw will ensure a replay at the United Stadium on Tuesday 31 October. The draw for the first round is live on radio at 5.10 after the game.