A win is a win and in the F.A. Cup that means you make it into the next round. It's irrelevant if you struggle to beat Gresley 1 - 0 or thump them by six or seven goals, the prize for winning is still the same.
Yes, we eventually overcame a very spirited and organised Gresley but we did make hard work of it. Indeed they came, they saw and whilst they didn’t conquer Gresley didn't climb back abourd their coach wondering what if... Thay gave it a right go.
One nothing and an Ian Roper header was about the size of it but unfortunately the natives were a little bit unhappy. The term “useless bastards” may have been justifiable at Wigan last April or at Wycombe and Bristol Rovers last winter but was more than a little harsh this afternoon. Indeed the restless amongst the locals may have seen a bigger winning margin if one of the two good chances inside the first ten minutes had been converted. Keates beat the keeper but the ball was cleared off the line and Tarka headed onto the crossbar before Rovers had got started.
They did get their act together however and although they didn’t really create much they saw a fair amount of the ball. We in turn treated Gresley with the respect they deserved and this in turn led to a fairly cautious attacking display - non of last seasons gun ho approach . This served to stretch the home fans patience and even though we looked in control of the game the half time whistle was greeted with more than one or two boos.
The second half was a more even affair as the boys kicked towards the home end and this served to increase the tension as the Saddlers failed to put an end to Gresley’s fight. Brissett picked up plenty of hammer and his game suffered as the boo boys dug their nails deeper into a seemingly fragile skin.
He seems to be a confidence player and in all honesty the Alsop End has already destroyed the confidence of more than a couple of players. It is, at times, disappointing that the Club’s greatest strength can so often be an individuals destroyer.
Unfortunately, they will never learn. Roper is one of the players who has taken more than his fair share of stick off the knobheads and it was kind of fitting that he should have the final say in events. Another Wrack corner, this time aimed into the middle of the six yard box, saw George beat the keeper to the ball and nod into an unguarded net. His first goal for the Club and with eleven minutes to go, a pretty good time to score it.
The boys suffered a couple of scares late on but were relatively comfortable and with no injuries and bookings came through unscathed. Again, the only things really important in the F.A. Cup is to (a) not lose and (b) get through and we did both in a good days work.
Elsewhere Tamworth are denied by Exeter in stoppage time, Kidderminster get a draw away at Plymouth and Hednesford beat Barnet. Result of the day goes to Bridlington Terriers as they trounce Colchester 4 - 1. If we hadn’t given Gresley the respect they deserved and lost I wonder what our knobheads would have made of it. Food for thought boys.