A FOOTBALL-mad couple are convinced that the result of Hereford United's FA Cup match with Leeds will determine the sex of their baby.

Matt Powell and heavily-pregnant Louise Goode were stunned when Hereford United and Leeds United were paired together in last Saturday's televised cup draw.

Matt is a life-long Hereford United supporter and Louise has been a Leeds fan since her school days in Batley.

The couple were even more shocked when, for Sky television purposes, the first-round match was brought forward to Friday, November 9 - the date their child is due to be born.

Matt, aged 32, joked: "I think Hereford playing Leeds on the due date of our baby being born is a sign that the winner of the game will decide the baby's sex.

"The first shock was when the teams were paired together in the draw - they have never even played against each other in a friendly. Then the tie was moved back to our baby's due date. It has all been so mind-blowing. We can't believe that it's happening on the same day. What are the odds for this?"

Matt, who was brought up in Bush Bank, near Canon Pyon, wants the Bulls to do him proud. "I've followed Hereford United since the 80s and there have been more lows than highs. I'm convinced that if Hereford win our child will be a boy.

"I'd like a boy, but my partner wants a girl - and she thinks that Leeds are going to stroll to victory."

Louise, a 38-year-old maths teacher at a secondary school in Tetbury, said: "Leeds United was the football club everybody supported when I was growing up in Batley. They had a fearsome reputation at that time.

"I've been to Elland Road quite a few times when I was younger, when they were playing in the Premiership. You have to follow your team through thick and thin, even if they aren't the force they used to be."

She said that Leeds and their fans would be arriving in Hereford with a lot of confidence on the back of a tremendous run of results.

"The fans will think that it will be a walkover for Leeds. I think the score will be 4-1 to Leeds - and I'll have a baby girl."

The couple, who live in Gloucester, have been together for seven years and this will be their first child together. Louise has a 10-year-old daughter called Chloe Kitten from a previous marriage.

"We have no idea at all what sex the child is going to be. Last time, I had a strong feeling that it was going to be a girl. I was absolutely sure. But this time, I haven't got those same feelings. My friend actually did a crystal test and that showed it was going to be a boy."

Perhaps the odds are in favour of the couple having a girl - and a Leeds victory.

Louise's mum had two daughters, her grandmother had two daughters and a son, while Matt's sister has two daughters.

Matt, a self-employed IT consultant, tries to watch Hereford United as much as he can and takes his dad, Malcolm, along to matches at Edgar Street.

"My gran got me interested in Hereford United - she knew all the players - so it's her fault," said Matt.

"It's been a joy to watch the team this season. The club has attracted quality players from the Championship and that shows. I think Hereford will have to score a few goals to win the tie. I think we'll win 3-2."

Matt said he was not sure whether there would be a television set in the delivery room at the Cheltenham hospital where the child is to be born.

"I think they might have a television, but I am not sure if they will have Sky TV," said Louise.

She added: "If the baby is born on the Friday morning, Matt will have my permission to go to the game later that evening and watch the match from the Meadow End."