Peterborough United’s Jack Taylor wants to play against his brother, Fergie wants the easiest possible home draw and no-one wants another League One club away from home

Peterborough United are the number one ranked team in tonight’s FA Cup second round draw (November 9, live on BBC Two and BT Sport from 7pm).
Barnet's Harry Taylor tackles Gwion Edwards of Posh in a 2017 match. Photo: Joe Dent/theposh.com.Barnet's Harry Taylor tackles Gwion Edwards of Posh in a 2017 match. Photo: Joe Dent/theposh.com.
Barnet's Harry Taylor tackles Gwion Edwards of Posh in a 2017 match. Photo: Joe Dent/theposh.com.

Posh shouldn’t therefore fear anyone, but they’ll have their preferences as well as who they would love to avoid as they seek a third round place for the sixth season in a row.

GOOD TIES

Posh boss Darren Ferguson said he’d like the lowest ranked team in the draw at home, so that would be Canvey Island who play in the North Division of the Isthmian League. That’s step four football, one level below Peterborough Sports FC. Canvey won 2-1 at Banbury United, the team that knocked Sports out on penalties in a previous round, in the first round on Saturday.

Posh midfielder Jack Taylor shoots at the Oxford goal on Saturday. Photo: Joe Dent/theposh.com.Posh midfielder Jack Taylor shoots at the Oxford goal on Saturday. Photo: Joe Dent/theposh.com.
Posh midfielder Jack Taylor shoots at the Oxford goal on Saturday. Photo: Joe Dent/theposh.com.
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

National North Division strugglers Darlington, Brackley Town and Chorley would also be excellent home draws as would Northampton Town as Posh always beat them.

Darlington (at Swindon) and Chorley (at Wigan) did win away at League One sides in the first round though.

BAD TIES

Ferguson described an away date in round one at Oxford United as ‘terrible.’ It was away and against a team from the same division. FA Cup ties are better against teams you wouldn’t normally play against so games at the likes of Hull, Portsmouth, Gillingham, Bristol Rovers and Blackpool would be greeted with great disappointment. Long trips to Plymouth or Exeter in the South West or Carlisle in the North West would also not be welcomed.

Tom Nichols of Crawley Town.Tom Nichols of Crawley Town.
Tom Nichols of Crawley Town.

INTERESTING TIES

If Posh were drawn away to one of the non-league sides there would persumably at least be the consolation of a live TV fee.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Games against former managers Steve Evans (Gillingham) or Grant McCann (Hull) would make the pre-match preview easy at least, while local ties against MK Dons, Lincoln or Northampton (if they manage to win at Oxford City tonight) would be passionate, although the lack of fans would be keenly felt in those games.

In-form striker Tom Nichols (Crawley), a hat-trick scorer in a remarkable 6-5 win at Torquay on Saturday, would have a point to prove if he got to play against his old Posh and a tie against Barnet would not only pitch Jack Taylor and Ronnie Edwards against their old club, Taylor would also get to play against his older brother Harry for the first time.

Defender Harry is 23, one year older than Jack, and like his brother was once part of the Chelsea Academy.