By Alan Duffy

Ahead of this weekend's FA Cup games, we thought it only right to bring you just a teeny weeny taste of the 'Magic of the Cupâ„¢' courtesy of one Wayne Hatswell, a name that will live long in the memory (possibly) a man who, in one moment of pure unadulterated technical incompetence, smashed home arguably the worst own-goal ever.

Sweet FA intelligence The magic of the FA Cup should ensure that fans of non-league clubs rally round to create an intimidating atmosphere for their opponents, helping to establish the 12th man mentality. However, fans of Newport County did the opposite thing whilst watching their side lose out to Shrewsbury Town yesterday lunchtime.

Saturday Fox Soccer has the England - Spain friendly at 12pm. FA Cup on Fox Soccer Plus: Newport County - Shrewsbury Town at 7:30am, Swindon - Huddersfield at 10am, and East Thurrock - Maclesfield Town at 9pm. On Fox Soccer: Alreton - Carlisle at 10am and Fleetwood - Wycombe at 2:30pm. All Times Eastern Sunday FA Cup on Fox Soccer Plus: Halifax - Charlton Athletic at 8:30am.

Old rivalries were renewed in the first round of the Welsh Cup as Merthyr Town met Barry Town, a fixture which has not graced any competition these two teams have competed in for a number of years. Merthyr have not competed in this competition for some time due to the FAW excluding teams that play in the English pyramid system.

How often does an FA Youth Cup game get national coverage?

I'm not talking ages old clips of a young Wayne Rooney or David Beckham or John Terry replayed in some 'before they were famous' programme while non-entity talking heads try to be witty, I mean actual coverage of the events of a game.

By Alan Duffy

Referee Darren Adie put in a performance which Bath City's U18s would surely describe as "pants" in an FA Youth Cup clash with Newport County.

The official ordered a number of the Bath players to change their underpants, which were white and visible under their black shorts, thus contravening the law that states shorts and underpants/cycling shorts worn underneath must be the same colour.

...and march to the Reebok with pitchforks and torches to demand the head of Owen Coyle for playing a friendly with non-league Newport County and Chung-Yong Lee picking up a long term injury as a result of said friendly, please do keep in mind that it's not the manager's fault.
Our good friend Quentin made a point yesterday that by playing a side outside of the League, the risks for injury to players are greater.

By Chris Wright

Bad news Bolton fans, winger Lee Chung-Yong suffered a double leg fracture in yesterday's pre-season friendly thanks to a horrendously unnecessary challenge from Newport County's Tom Miller, and is now expected to miss the next nine months as a result.

Summer break Bolton midfielder Lee Chung Yong is facing nine months on the sidelines after breaking his leg in a pre-season friendly against non-league side Newport County. Well, 'breaking his leg' is not entirely accurate. In fact, he had it broken for him thanks to a horrendous challenge from Newport's Tom Miller.

And just like that, Bolton hearts break. Our favorite South Korean winger was hurt in yesterday's friendly and now we know just how bad the damage is and well... it's not looking pretty. Before we get to the bad news, here's what the manager had to say about young Chungy:

"We will make sure Chung-Yong gets all the support he needs, as now it is all about his recovery and well-being.

And just like that, Bolton hearts break. Our favorite South Korean winger was hurt in yesterday's friendly and now we know just how bad the damage is and well... it's not looking pretty. Before we get to the bad news, here's what the manager had to say about young Chungy:

"We will make sure Chung-Yong gets all the support he needs, as now it is all about his recovery and well-being.

The body part in question

Bolton played away at Newport County today. The Whites won 3-1 thanks to an own goal and two from Klasnic. The game, however, is not the issue at hand as another Bolton player was carted off the field with a potential long-term injury midway through the first half.

It is the preseason that never ends. We've had a game roughly every 3 days since the 14th of July and today we continue that as we face Welsh side Newport County. The Exiles compete in the Conference National, effectively the fifth tier of the English system. They haven't been in the Football League since 1988, when they ended their 68 year stay.

It is the preseason that never ends. We've had a game roughly every 3 days since the 14th of July and today we continue that as we face Welsh side Newport County. The Exiles compete in the Conference National, effectively the fifth tier of the English system. They haven't been in the Football League since 1988, when they ended their 68 year stay.

Klasnic rolls away after finishing the performance

And the Whites go marching on, on, on through their preseason with an impressive showing against Bradford City AFC at Valley Parade in front of 295 Wanderers supporters among the 2,943 in attendance. The 4-1 scoreline provided Bolton with their third consecutive win this preseason.

I know, you've been listless the past few weeks. Something's missing in your life, maybe you're not eating enough protein? Haven't called your mother recently? Or maybe it's the lack of Bolton Wanderers. Well, fret not dear reader, as the Men in White have quite the busy summer planned. We've known for a while about the jaunt over the pond, and your beloved bloggers will even be attending the Houston match.

I know, you've been listless the past few weeks. Something's missing in your life, maybe you're not eating enough protein? Haven't called your mother recently? Or maybe it's the lack of Bolton Wanderers. Well, fret not dear reader, as the Men in White have quite the busy summer planned. We've known for a while about the jaunt over the pond, and your beloved bloggers will even be attending the Houston match.

Swansea City will become the first Welsh team to play in the English Premier League in the 2011-2012 season, following their victory in the Championship play-off final on Monday. As I write, thousands are out on the streets of Swansea celebrating as the team bus drives through the southern Welsh city.

Swindon Town's New (and Controversial) Boss

You couldn't ever accuse Swindon Town supporters of having little to talk about. The team has pogoed around the divisions in the last twenty years (they were present in the second ever Premier League season of 1993-4, and are at present the only former Premiership team to have been relegated to the lowest league tier).

Shortly before 5pm this afternoon a 37-year-old man burnt a pair of football boots in a field in Gloucestershire and in doing so brought the curtain down on an illustrious career spanning more than 20 years and almost as many clubs.

Julian Alsop headed home a last-minute equaliser in Bishop Cleeve's Zamaretto South and West season finale against North Leigh shortly before he took a blowtorch to his boots, ending his last game in typically flamboyant style.

Shortly before 5pm this afternoon a 37-year-old man burnt a pair of football boots in a field in Gloucestershire and in doing so brought the curtain down on an illustrious career spanning more than 20 years and almost as many clubs.

Julian Alsop headed home a last-minute equaliser in Bishop Cleeve's Zamaretto South and West season finale against North Leigh shortly before he took a blowtorch to his boots, ending his last game in typically flamboyant style.

Sorry for the false alarm on the game stream last night. Turns out it was only available in the Seattle area. The Rapids lost 3-1, but the Rapids didn't give up a goal until 3rd string keeper Steward Ceus was subbed in, and the last two came after Gary Smith made wholesale changes to the lineup.
Meanwhile there's news on a couple of players.

John Mousinho: Could be on his way out of BHW?

If you didn't know already, today is the last day of the January transfer window. It's that time of year when Sky Sports turns into a soap opera and prices go through to roof. It's been a ridiculous day in that sense. How Andy Carroll is worth £35m is beyond me.