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The drop into non-league had introduced us to the delights of the FA Trophy, but in the first four goes at it we hardly covered ourselves in glory. There were early exits to Stalybridge; Southport; Barrow and Wrexham. All former Football League clubs – although Stalybridge, the club closest to my home, lasted only a couple of years back in the 1920’s. The further drop into regional football now meant that we entered it at the Qualifying Round stages. How far had we fallen – back in 2002 our first game in the FA Cup was in the 3rd Round!! The fifth attempt saw an exit at the hands of Nantwich Town, more familiar as opposition in the Cheshire Cup

A victory over Bradford PA in QR3 brought Marine to Edgeley Park. On my journeys around the non-league grounds of Tameside and beyond on non-County days I had seen them many times. The legendary Roly Howard had overseen most of them in the managerial hotseat at Rossett Park. he was in charge for an incredible 33 years, managing them on 1,975 occasions. It must be a record.

He was long gone by 2016 but Marine had maintained a decent record as one of the Northern Premier League’s most consistent teams. It promised to be a hard game. After an average time in November we had started the new month with a win down at Gloucester, and Kaine Felix, who had scored the winner down at Whaddon Road coming off the bench was given a starting place.

The game didn’t start well as the visitors took an early lead from the penalty spot which many in the ground felt was an error on referee Copeland’s part. A great header from Big K, (Kayode Odejayi) just before the break brought us level, but deep into injury time in the first half Mitchley, looking well offside, was allowed to move forward and put the Mariners ahead at the break with his second.

It stayed that way until the last 5 minutes. With time ebbing away County were warded a free kick just outside the box. There was no doubt who was going to be taking this, and even less doubt as the ball was struck that Danny Lloyd had drawn us level with his 12th of the season. My thoughts turned to a midweek trip for a replay at Rossett Park. It would be another ground on my County travels. Not needed though!

Lloyd picked the ball up wide on the left, weaved past two defenders and into the box where a third sent him tumbling to ground. To use that time honoured phrase – he picked himself up, dusted himself down and promptly whacked the ball into the back of the net from the spot.

We were through to the 2nd Round. The draw pitched us against Brackley, and the replay down at St James Park, after a draw at Edgeley. It was a defining moment in my life … and certainly nothing to do with football. More about that in my post about Brackley Town

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THE GAMES

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Where the date is in bold click for highlights of the game

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	Date	Venue	Ground	Competition		F	A	Att:
Sat	10/12/16	h	Edgeley Park	FA Trophy (Round 1)	W	3	2	1,411

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