Gaffer's thoughts after the FA Cup draw
Town played out a hard fought FA Cup tie at Grimsby Town and came away with another chance to progress to the third round after a 0-0 draw.
The home side created a number of decent chances but Town dug in deep to come away with a clean sheet and a replay at the Greenhous Meadow on Tuesday 15th December.
After the game manager Micky Mellon spoke to the press and was asked for his thoughts on the hard fought draw;“I always knew it was going to be difficult. We expected it to be a tough game. We knew we would have to do the basics well and I thought for long spells in the first half we didn’t do that. But the positives are that we are still in it and we can still go through in the cup.”
“We had a few chances but I think both sides would say a draw was fair. Our defence did well to stand their ground and keep Grimsby out.”
“I was pleased that we were able to keep a clean sheet. With the cameras being here and it being in the cup there was a bit of pressure especially as Grimsby have been doing so well this season so I am happy with that. But I still feel we lost too many key battles out there tonight and we have had a chat about it and hopefully we will be able to improve that for Saturday.”
“I thought our attackers had a tough day. We probably didn’t give them enough options or create enough chances for them tonight but when they did have opportunities they were not able to take them.
The first half saw the game stopped after keeper Jayson Leutwiler took a knee to his face after a brave challenge to deny Grimsby;”He has a real sore one. It was a nasty knock to the face but we will make sure he is looked after. It was a brave save but he has unfortunately paid for that. Halstead did well to make a couple of great saves so that was pleasing. Leutwiler will definitely will not be available for Saturday. It was an honest challenge but unfortunately these injuries happen from time to time. We are lucky we have a great replacement in Halstead who will be fine to take over in goal.”
It means that the teams will meet again next Tuesday in a replay to see who will travel to Cardiff in the 3rd round of the FA Cup;“It isn’t often we get a cup tie at home so it will be nice to go back to our place for the replay. We knew before kick-off that we would be playing Cardiff next if we got the win. But I am not looking ahead to that tie at all because we have a tough return game when it comes around and we also have a tough league game on Saturday so we need to concentrate on that.”