Sport Cup pay day goes, but league is aim
Mixed sets of emotions reverberated around the Victoria Pleasure Grounds this week, writes Graeme Wilson.
Defeat last Saturday in the league wasn't the disaster it could have been, with results toing and froing around them in the play-off places, and thenon Monday night, was it relief or disappointment in Nantwich Town's 5-1 President's Cup quarter-final win over FC United of Manchester?
Well, a mixture of both, of course. The Vikings would have been delighted at the cash windfall that a game with the spin-off team from Manchester would have brought them. On the other hand, the logistical nightmare that it would have entailed, not only for officials and supporters at the VPG, but the people of the town, has been avoided.
However, Nantwich now provide the opposition in Saturday week's semi-final at Goole, and the Vikings already have a 1-0 league win over the Cheshire side in their pocket.
The fellow play-off contenders, though, did provide one of the best games of football seen at the VPG for some time. Boosted by their own band of travelling supporters, perhaps 150 (nowhere near the numbers Manchester would have provided), it will still provide a fine atmosphere.
League points at stake
Yet before then two big league games at home to Alsager on Saturday, kick off 3pm, followed by a trip to Gresley next Tuesday evening, kick off 7.45pm with points important as the countdown to the end of the campaign really begins.
Alsager, arguably, was Goole's worst performance of the season when the two sides met last September, but it acted as a wake-up call to the side, who then hit the form that everyone knew they were capable of.
The score in North Staffordshire was 2-0, and it is doubtful whether the Vikings would have scored had they been playing now.
And last season's game at the VPG actually saw Alsager snatch a 1-0 win in a smash and grab raid after their goal was bombarded for 89 of the 90 minutes.
Gresley, who the Vikings face on Tuesday, suffered what could be a permanent blow to their promotion hopes when losing 3-0 at home to Sheffield on Tuesday night.
Although there is no need for any alarm, after all one defeat in eight games is good form, the Vikings have to look over their shoulders at Belper Town, who have hit great form themselves since before Christmas, and they are on the heels of the major play-off contenders.
I venture to suggest that Retford as champions look a good bet, Cammell Laird will believe they still have a chance, but are definite play-off material, the rest, and there are six clubs realistically, well they are fighting for three places.
Bray and Rollinson available
On the team front Duncan Bray, (left 08-11-25 GT) and Steve Rollinson are available for manager Danby, and Bray's ability to always do something out of the ordinary is always appreciated.
Danny Buttle is expected to have recovered from the ankle knock sustained at Carlton.
Published on 28th February 2008 in Sport.
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