Blyth Spartans have now joined the likes of Histon as teams Town fans will not wish to hear in the future as they embarrassingly crashed out of the FA Cup at the first hurdle, writes blogger James Pugh.
See also: Blyth Spartans 3 Shrewsbury Town 1
The warnings of not underestimating non-league teams in the cup were all there prior to kick off and the players must have known that they were going to face a side that were going to make things difficult.
So how can we explain what went terribly wrong?
We just didn’t seem at the races and the 3-1 scoreline was no way an injustice to us. Simpson went for a strong line-up and the players who have rarely let us down this season, let the team and the fans down badly on Saturday.
In hindsight playing young lads like Leslie and Humphries was a mistake as they don’t have experience of playing in these types of games, like some of the others.
But it is unfair to single them out, as everyone apart from Holt was poor and should all take responsibility.
Simpson used words such as ‘disgusted’ and embarrassing’ to describe the teams effort and for me they summed up the result perfectly.
It was also not a pleasure to be featured on television for making the wrong types off headlines.
And to make matters worse, our neighbours AFC Telford made it into the hat for the next round.
Anyway, there is no point in pondering on what might have been and we must think of the positives.
Going out in the first round will enable us to concentrate on the league which is the main priority this season and although playing the big boys in the latter rounds would have been nice, winning the FA Cup was very unlikely.
One trophy that Town are still in is the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy – referred to as a ‘Mickey Mouse’ competition by some, but to me a very important competition with a trip to Wembley at the end of it.
And we got another favourable draw, with a home tie against Brighton or Swindon.
Either side won’t be easy to face, but the form we have been showing at home this season, we should fear no one and they certainly won’t want to be visiting the Prostar.
It’s back to the league on Friday with a tough away trip to Chesterfield.
The defeat in the FA Cup continued to show that there is something seriously wrong with our away form which needs to be addressed as soon as possible, starting this week!
13 Comments
It was just one of those days.
Over the years lots of teams from higher leagues have defeated by so called minnows, Arsenal, Man U, Everton etc etc, the list goes on and on. In most cases the defeated team is still up there and the minnow is still that a minnow.
Life goes on we will get over it.
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Absolutely spot on with the tactics. No way should have Steve Leslie and Chris Humpreys been both playing, we needed some strength in the centre. Another noticable mistake by Mike Jackson again, there is a pattern there for Mike missing one or two iffie balls. I’d like to see Kelvin being given a run.
Even before the game the signs were there with Lenny the Lion going to the wrong end to give the sweets away. Just about summed things up, giving it away all afternoon.
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“we will have to much skill to much class and we will win comfortably” a quote from shrewsbury manager web sight on friday. and Holts comments that Blyth is a horrible place really went down well with the Blyth people.This was the reason Holt was getting so much stick during and after the game.people should keep comments to themselves. stu, a life long Blyth supporter
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Was that the real Shrewsbury Town squad or just randoms selected off the street?
Joking aside the players need to take along hard look at themselves after this.
The sooner Luke Daniels is back the better as our current goalie seems to lack the communication skills with his defence.
Maybe it is time to give Jackson a rest as he defended sloppy all afternoon. I feel Langmead deserves a run in the first team.
Agree Holt is the only one who comes out of this with any positives but for me credit must go to the town fans which travelled.
Lets hope this is just a blip but defending errors are a major issue.
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The attitude of players is obviously in question but I think the main reason is we are now used to playing passing football on the wide open spaces of Prostar. Compact grounds like Blythe, Morecambe and Accrington are catching us out. It’s a complete reversal from the old days at Gay Meadow where higher status teams were regularly turned over by the town for the same reason.
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what do you say all out for promotion now come on you blues come on you blues
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to be fair to garner he has kept well the previos 2 games. town hopefully will sort chesterfield out on friday 3-0.or else. floreat salopian and get rid of that orrible lenny the lion badge. happy 70th birthday to roy race of melchester rovers!!
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No excuses boys, rubbish is rubbish whatever you call it.
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Come on you Spartans. What a result!
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I know saturday may have upset a load off fans us not winning . But come on fans lets get behiend Town and wish the whole team good luck on friday against Chesterfield .
One trophy that Town are still in is the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy which will be on sky
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YOU BLUESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
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True Matthew - COME ON YOU SPARTANS! lets see how far the go… hopefully it will be a fair way….
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always support shrewsbury town no matter what the result
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