Marcus Braddock takes a look back at the week just gone
Last week there wasn't much going on apart from the kerfuffle over the West Ham match but there were other games planned for the youth and Ladies teams. The youth team had a game at Blackpool scheduled but a waterlogged put paid to that one. The Ladies team travelled to Leek Town in Staffordshire but narrowly lost 2-1 in a close game.
The main event happened on Sunday and as millions will have seen, we just couldn't get past the Hammers although that wasn't for trying. The television chaps said that West Ham didn't get enough possession and didn't pick up enough of the loose balls and second balls but I think that's a little unfair on us. They were all very nice about us and our record but they gives an impression that if West Ham had wanted to, they could of just rolled over us. We were a blank slate that they had failed leave a chalk mark on and I do feel that we had far more influence on the game than that. Had they kept a closer eye on us this season they would have seen that lots of teams were stopped from playing their game by Shrewsbury Town and that forms a clear pattern. West Ham wanted to push forward, you could see that but we limited them and it was a shame we couldn't get the ball past their excellent keeper. It was nice to see new Derby loanee Max Lowe involved yesterday, he looks the part and has a pretty good record so far so hopefully he can slot in like Ben Godfrey has and be a part of this wonderful season. Welcome Max!
The 0-0 sees us into the draw and that could have an impact on whether we get to see ourselves on television again. If we draw Manchester United for example, the replay may have greater significance, as the winners will have the F.A. Cup holders waiting for them. The draw is this evening at seven of the evening clock on BBC2.
We're back in cup action this Wednesday as Blackpool visit us for the third round of the EFL Trophy, Wembley isn't too far away now in terms of matches so it could be an exciting game!
Saturday sees us travel to Lancashire to play third placed Blackburn Rovers who sit five points behind us in third place. If we could get anything at Ewood Park it would be a huge step toward a successful second half of the season but Rovers are a top quality side with plenty of resources so we will have to work extremely hard.
The Ladies team will travel to Staffordshire again to face Florence Colliery on Sunday with kick off at 1400.
The youth team don't appear to have a game this weekend but will be in action again at Wrexham on January 20th.
COYB!!!