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Tough times loom ahead
Story courtesy of
It’s three years since Gresley Rovers last reached the fourth qualifying round of the FA Cup and considerably longer – more than 50 years ago, in fact – that the pride of South Derbyshire enjoyed their one and only appearance in the first round proper.
Such an achievement is still a distant prospect this season for, after three games in the competition, Rovers have only reached the second qualifying round.Yet their 3-1 replay victory over Northern Premier Leaguers Gainsborough Trinity at the Moat Ground on Tuesday fostered a hope that Gresley will flirt with cup glory for a little longer yet.
That victory takes them to Hinckley Town a week tomorrow for a game which is likely to be a rugged, but eminently winnable encounter.
Town gained a notable success in the first qualifying round, winning 3-0 away to Banks’s League leaders Lye Town, but Rovers will fancy their chances against a side whose form has been less than predictable.
Beyond that point, however, there is a massive stumbling block in the path to the money-spinning stages of the competition.
The likelihood is that the winners at Hinckley will be away to mighty Boston United of the GM Vauxhall Conference in the third qualifying round, always assuming, of course, that Leicester United don’t spring a real surprise by winning at York Street.
Boston have already turned on the power with an 8-1 demolition of Coventry Sporting.
