Cup Form The Catalyst For The Old Boys
Tue 16th December 2014 | Holker Old Boys | By Ian Templeman
With a place in the semi final of the Lancashire FA Challenge Trophy secured, Holker Old Boys manager Gary Fawcett is now looking for his side to reproduce their cup form in league games.
A tremendous comeback in last Monday’s quarter final against Daisy Hill saw the Old Boys eventually emerge with a 5-3 win, their third impressive performance in the competition this season.
After a 5-0 win over Evo-Stik League Division One North side Padiham in the First Round, the Cumbrians then caused an even bigger upset by knocking out AFC Fylde on penalties at Kellamergh Park, who had been involved in a narrow defeat at Plymouth Argyle in the FA Cup just three days earlier.
The Old Boys can now look forward to a semi-final tie against another Conference North side, Chorley, on the 17th February.
“The cup has brought something to us, a little bit of a buzz”, said Gary. “We beat Padiham 5-0 at home, and then we went to Fylde and that was an unbelievable night. The lads started buzzing after that, and began to believe in themselves and that they can match good sides.
“Then at Daisy Hill, we were 3-1 down to a side third in the league, but just showed a real never-say-die attitude and I thought we deserved the win.
“We showed real fighting spirit to come back from 2-0 and 3-1 down, it was fantastic by the lads and I was ecstatic after the game.
“It says a lot about the players, and it was similar to the previous Saturday against Eccleshall as well. We got a bit of pummelling for the first 20 minutes but showed massive character, just started relaxing on the ball and getting our passing game together and it paid dividends.
"I was asked in an interview on BBC Radio Cumbria after the Daisy Hill quarter final game who we wanted (in the semi-final) and I knew it was Chorley every time for me. The players and management might never get another chance to go up against quality opposition , especially in a cup semi-final.
"We thoroughly enjoyed the build up to the AFC Fylde game and the excitement around the club prior to the game, and to get another chance to play against Conference North opposition is brilliant for the club".
In the meantime, Gary is looking to for his squad to carry on the good form, and with Saturday's 3-0 win over Oldham Boro moving them to within one point and one place of a play off position, he believes there is no reason why they shouldn't be in the promotion mix at the end of the season.
"We’ve got something to look forward to now (with the cup tie), and for now we can put that to one side and start looking at league games and picking up points", he said.
"Apart from maybe Colls and Cammell Laird pulling away a bit, the league is really tight, but if we can bring the form we have shown in the cup into the league, I don’t think we will be far off.
"There are times in the league when we have played better than we have in the cup games, but niggly mistakes are putting us under pressure. We just need to cut out the mistakes that are costing us
"I don’t think we should fear anyone now in the league, and we are trying to install in the players that player for player, pound for pound, we are as good as anybody".
Cup Form The Catalyst For The Old Boys
Tue 16th December 2014 | Holker Old Boys
By Ian Templeman
With a place in the semi final of the Lancashire FA Challenge Trophy secured, Holker Old Boys manager Gary Fawcett is now looking for his side to reproduce their cup form in league games.
A tremendous comeback in last Monday’s quarter final against Daisy Hill saw the Old Boys eventually emerge with a 5-3 win, their third impressive performance in the competition this season.
After a 5-0 win over Evo-Stik League Division One North side Padiham in the First Round, the Cumbrians then caused an even bigger upset by knocking out AFC Fylde on penalties at Kellamergh Park, who had been involved in a narrow defeat at Plymouth Argyle in the FA Cup just three days earlier.
The Old Boys can now look forward to a semi-final tie against another Conference North side, Chorley, on the 17th February.
“The cup has brought something to us, a little bit of a buzz”, said Gary. “We beat Padiham 5-0 at home, and then we went to Fylde and that was an unbelievable night. The lads started buzzing after that, and began to believe in themselves and that they can match good sides.
“Then at Daisy Hill, we were 3-1 down to a side third in the league, but just showed a real never-say-die attitude and I thought we deserved the win.
“We showed real fighting spirit to come back from 2-0 and 3-1 down, it was fantastic by the lads and I was ecstatic after the game.
“It says a lot about the players, and it was similar to the previous Saturday against Eccleshall as well. We got a bit of pummelling for the first 20 minutes but showed massive character, just started relaxing on the ball and getting our passing game together and it paid dividends.
"I was asked in an interview on BBC Radio Cumbria after the Daisy Hill quarter final game who we wanted (in the semi-final) and I knew it was Chorley every time for me. The players and management might never get another chance to go up against quality opposition , especially in a cup semi-final.
"We thoroughly enjoyed the build up to the AFC Fylde game and the excitement around the club prior to the game, and to get another chance to play against Conference North opposition is brilliant for the club".
In the meantime, Gary is looking to for his squad to carry on the good form, and with Saturday's 3-0 win over Oldham Boro moving them to within one point and one place of a play off position, he believes there is no reason why they shouldn't be in the promotion mix at the end of the season.
"We’ve got something to look forward to now (with the cup tie), and for now we can put that to one side and start looking at league games and picking up points", he said.
"Apart from maybe Colls and Cammell Laird pulling away a bit, the league is really tight, but if we can bring the form we have shown in the cup into the league, I don’t think we will be far off.
"There are times in the league when we have played better than we have in the cup games, but niggly mistakes are putting us under pressure. We just need to cut out the mistakes that are costing us
"I don’t think we should fear anyone now in the league, and we are trying to install in the players that player for player, pound for pound, we are as good as anybody".
