Cod Almighty | Diary

Diary - Tuesday 26 October 2010

26 October 2010

Here we go again. Town get another shot at making it into the first round proper. They certainly get the replays in quick in this qualifying rounds business; Connell's boot has barely cooled from that last minute goal which kept us clinging on to our dreams of making the actual competition. The last time we played an FA Cup replay was in the 2007/08 season, and we beat Carlisle 1-0 at Blundell Park, after a 1-1 draw away, to make it to the second round proper. This will of course have absolutely no bearing on tonight's game, we are a different team, in a different league, in a different round, and we are not playing Carlisle, but I've done the research so I thought I better mention it.

So it's Tamworth for the third time this season. We've lost one, drawn one and it would be nice to think we can even out the record tonight with a home win. You never know though, maybe we could. Town should be boosted by the return of the mysterious Ademeno, although whether Town's most expensive current squad player makes it onto the pitch is another matter. He should make the bench though, and hopefully he can be back in contention soon, and maybe add an extra dimension, as they say.

Woods is planning on using all seven available sub places tonight; we get two extra in the cup you see - like real clubs do. Grimsby only took five subs to the Lamb on Saturday, "That was an oversight on our part" says Woods, and a fairly amateur oversight at that, Neil. Oh dear. At least they've learnt from their mistakes. How many minutes in at the Lamb do you think it was when Mr Moore tapped Mr Woods and asked him why Tamworth had more men on their bench than us? It would be funny if it wasn't so desperately grim.

Woods is fielding a strong team again tonight. I should hope so. I mean we're not Arsenal are we, giving the youth team a run out in the FA Cup. Mr Woods is pretty excited about making the next round too, the first round proper beckons, a glittering beacon of fourth division grounds and potential ITV coverage. "I think either side, Tamworth or us, would like to test themselves against a league side like Crewe" says Woods, unashamedly hammering home our status as plucky non-leaguers after that prized league scalp. I remember when we used to be a league side like Crewe, it was earlier this year.

The Telegraph also reports that Alan Connell needs to score in the next two home games to equal the great Pat Glover's consecutive home game scoring record. I was unaware that this record existed before today but apparently it's nine home games on the bounce for Glover. So Connell's the new Glover, well kind of; the article goes on to tell us the details of Glover's scoring run, 'the winner in a 1-0 FA Cup win over Clapton Orient and two in a 7-3 Boxing Day triumph over Manchester United - 24 hours after netting a hat-trick at Old Trafford in a 3-1 victory'. So little bit of a way to go for our Al. Oh and we're also the second best supported team in our league of non-leaguers, unfortunately we're not the second best football team yet.

And finally something to take a look at if you haven't already; "Barrow supporters Richard Burns and Phil Hayward (and two others) are planning to embark on a three-day charity bike-ride (approximately 60 miles a day) from Holker Street to Grimsby for the Bluebirds' away game against Grimsby Town on Saturday 20 November. They are hoping to raise two thousand five hundred quid for Mind, a mental-health charity. And if you are interested in helping this very worthy cause, here's where to look. A worthy cause - I hope the club are giving them free tickets. See yer.