Time to get up for the cup again!
Yes, I know it would have been nice to have played a few more league games by now but let’s face it, you can’t beat a good cup run!
And while all the attention of our fans and many other interested non-league followers will rightly be focused on the huge FA Cup tie with Vanarama National League North leaders Scunthorpe United a week tomorrow, Neil Baker will have been telling his players all week that we’ve got another big game tomorrow.
We get our FA Trophy campaign underway with a really tough away game at Sutton Coldfield Town of the NPL Midland division. Like ourselves, Sutton Coldfield have taken five points from four games so we can expect a pretty tight game, which, it should be noted will be decided on penalties if the scores are level after 90 minutes.
One thing you can say about our opponents tomorrow is that we are long overdue a positive result against them. Our last game against them was also in the FA Trophy three years ago. That game went to penalties after a goalless 90 minutes and Sutton Coldfield prevailed 5-4 on spot kicks. We’d lost our previous three games to them as well, so it’s unquestionably time to set the record straight.
The start to the season has been excellent and has been great for morale all around the club but the one thing that being on a good run does lead to is consistency of selection. This is positive of course but does mean some of our squad players haven’t had much a of a look in. This could change tomorrow as the gaffer indicated when I spoke to him at training last night.
“We have a large first team squad, which is unusual for us. I need to get some of these lads involved and Saturday provides an opportunity to do that.
“But whatever team I put out on Saturday, the message remains the same: I expect them to do well and perform to a high level. This competition is another opportunity for us to progress and everyone connected with the club wants to us todo just that.
“It might seem obvious to say but having a large squad when you’re playing a lot of games is really important, as it means we are better equipped to cope with the demands. We’ll be going to Sutton Coldfield determined to put in a strong performance.”
After going off injured after a clash of heads in an accidental collision with Carlos dos Santos in the 2-1 FA Cup win over Long Eaton last weekend, Jack Sherratt – now nursing a black eye for his troubles – may be forced to sit this one out. Otherwise, we have a pretty clean bill of health heading into the second month of the season.
For all our squad, this is their last chance to impress before the Scunthorpe game – it’s time to step up lads and make a case.
Come on Castle!