Westfields next up in FA Cup
After the strong performance on Tuesday at Stafford Rangers in a thrilling comeback 2-2 draw, which most neutral observers would have agreed was the very least we deserved, we turn our attentions to the FA Cup this weekend.
We’re on our travels again – someone at the FA seems to have a problem with sticking our numbered ball in the velvet bag marked ‘home’ – this time at Westfields of the Hellenic League Premier Division.
On paper, this represents a good opportunity to progress to the first qualifying round of the cup, as our opponents play one division below us. As we all know though, matches have never been played on paper.
Looking at our four performances so far this season, it’s easy to see that we’re making progress. In particular, the football against Evesham in the replay and Stafford this week is a clear marker of how our gaffer wants to play. And speaking to Guilherme Baltazar (sorry Gee!) after the game on Tuesday, you can hear how the players are buying into the plan. It’s very encouraging.
Westfields’ form so far has been indifferent. They scraped passed Daventry in the extra preliminary round of the FA Cup thanks to a late winner from Dan Stoneman, but have lost their last two league matches. While taking nothing for granted, we should be confident that we can impose our game on our hosts and continue our positive run of both form and results this season.
We may have to do so without club captain Tommy van der Laan, who missed the Stafford game after picking up a knee injury and being forced off in last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Mossley. Tommy’s absence meant a start for George Lewis on Tuesday and the handing over of the captaincy to Stubbsy in what was his 100th appearance for the club. Congratulations by the way Kyle!
We’re playing good football, scoring goals and are unbeaten this season. Ok, it is only the middle of August but hey, we’ll take it!
If you would like to sample the magic of the cup with us on Saturday, there will be a coach leaving the ground at 10am on Saturday. Come and support the boys.
Come on ‘Castle!