Proving a point will be a pleasure ...

By David Watters

EVO-STIK League Ossett Town were heading into their Emirates FA Cup replay with Solihull Moors with a point to prove long before drawing Wycombe Wanders at home in the first round proper.

The Ingfielders - paired with the League Two club in Monday night's televised draw on BBC2 and BT Sport at Hyde United's Ewen Fields - are raring to go on Tuesday night after claims of negative tactics from the management of their National League opponents after the clubs drew 1-1 on Saturday.

Town manager Grant Black dismissed the comments before the draw at the home of their EVO-STIK League North rivals, telling fans he was over the moon with his side's performance to make it into the hat after the fourth and final qualifying round weekend.

Black said: "The lads stuck to the game plan which was to limit them space in behind and frustrate them. We wanted to stay in the game and the boys did everything and more of what was asked of them.

"Then to harshly go down to ten men makes it even more of an achievement, as does the fact we were missing Sam Wright and Seon Ripley. In my team talk I said the aim was to at least bring them back to Ingfield and now we have done that we have to try and finish the job.

"Solihull's pride and ego will be dented having to go to a replay with us, and based on their manager's post-match interview, we contributed little to the game which I disagree with. I feel we had just as many chances as them up to the sending off so we know they will be at it.

"We will do everything we can and see where that takes us. Hopefully, the whole of Ossett will be coming out in droves to appreciate this team and what they have at this moment in time. The squad will be very similar to what we took on Saturday, Ripley is still out, and Sam Wright is a major doubt."

Defender Josh Snowden is looking forward to taking their second chance against the National League club at Ingfield after scoring at the start of their cup run in August in the extra-preliminary round at Sheffield FC.

He said: "We've got to be happy with the result. We stuck to a game plan, worked hard and did not let our concentration drop throughout the 90 minutes. Corey [Gregory] scored a great equaliser and we have one or two other chances to pinch it. However, Leigh [Overton] made several point blank saves at the other end to keep us in it.

"We will be underdogs once again on Tuesday, which suits us, but despite that we all believe we can do the job. We will once again work hard, stay organised and keep ourselves in the game for as long as possible. It is a massive opportunity for all the boys and the club too. When the full time result blows we will ensure we don't have any regrets, whatever the result."

He added: "I am sure the Backslappers will be out in force again to get behind all of use, the support on Saturday was superb and really spurred us on to get that result."

Nantwich Town must overcome EVO-STIK League Southern leaders Kettering on Tuesday to confirm a trip to Stevange while Hyde United and Shaw Lane were drawn at home to the MK Dons and Mansfield Town respectively. The first round takes place over the weekend of 3-6 November with winning clubs receiving £18,000 from the Football Association's prize fund.

Image courtesy of theFA.com

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Where next?

Trending again, even before draw! The EVO-STIK League's clubs were trending again on Twitter over the weekend, even before Hyde United, Ossett Town, Nantwich Town and Shaw Lane went into the hat for the first round proper of the Emirates FA Cup!
Tigers roaring after pulling plum tie! The fans, players and officials of EVO-STIK League Hyde United almost brought the roof down at Ewen Fields during Monday night's televised draw from their home for the first round proper of the Emirates FA Cup!

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