[Ska'dForLife-WBA]

With frosty sward and tomato saucery, January's first Saturday morning greets us, as always, with the unseasonably lush promise of FA Cup football. The sport's very own grail quest once again takes up its majestic crusade against obsolescence with such tantalising ties as a Tyne-Wear derby and a first third round appearance for Maidstone United since 1987, while Albion have - somewhat inconsiderately for writers who illustrate their match threads with pictures of previous encounters - drawn Aldershot Town, whom we've never before played (except for that one ill-fated friendly abandoned after the untimely rampage of a giant chocolate dinosaur firing lasers from its mouth, about which we survivors seldom speak).

It's the second season in a row we've kicked off against non-league opposition, following last year's replay triumph over Chesterfield; at home, our record against non-league sides since 1990 has been 27-4 (though the less said about those four conceded, the better). Tommy Widdrington's men thus arrive at the Hawthorns tomorrow on the heels of their victories against Lewes, Swindon and Stockport - the middle fixture a truly remarkable away upset which saw them race into a 7-0 lead within an hour before surviving a fightback at the death to win 7-4 - hoping that one of theirs will become the first man since Tim Buzaglo to silence the Brummie Road End.

One for the Albion youngsters? More than likely; the squad's simply stretched too thin to risk a strong side, and therein lies the fighting chance Aldershot have. An upset would certainly be an embarrassment, though not the end of the world during a strong playoff charge in the league; nevertheless, the cup's the cup, and after such a kind draw the Baggies must look to progress.