Glossop North End v AFC Liverpool, 23rd January 2010

An unexpected long cold spell and arctic conditions led to a natural winter break which lasted about seven weeks.  Thankfully that footy free period ended on Saturday 23rd January 2010 with a trip to Premier Division Glossop North End in the Vodkat League Cup.  As a gateway to the Peak District, Glossop provided a most pleasant setting for that awaited return to action. 

For my part, I made the inspired decision to work overtime that Saturday Morning.  After getting caught on a call in my Call Centre based job, I left work about 12.40pm instead of 12pm.  I did manage to get to Warrington's Central train station for 1pm.  However train delays meant I would only leave for Manchester with 75 minutes to go before Kick Off!  After changing at Manchester Piccadilly, I got the train to Glossop and managed to get to the ground at Surrey Street with the game about to kick off and a queue of eight people in front of me.

On entering the ground, I saw both teams were listed on a wall and quickly scanned the team.  I noticed an unfamiliar name at number 6, but did not pick on who was playing at number 11.  I walked all around the pitch, unable to locate the fans whom I would normally sit with.  So I eventually settled on a pitchside view near a large group of AFC Supporters.  

It was a fairly even first half, and about twenty minutes in I finally realised that number 11 was Andy McCoy, who had obviously rejoined the club for his second spell.  Whilst McCoy could be useful on his day, he also had his demons as well.  That was demonstrated in his last appearance in a red shirt the previous September, when he came on as a second half substitute in the Reds' first ever FA Vase match only to be sent off!  A few minutes after I realised he was back in the fold, McCoy twisted and twirled his way past a few players right in front of me, almost a la Johan Cruyff.

By this time, one of our fans called Dave had come to join me for a few minutes.  We got chatting with a local Glossop Fan about our level of support at home.  The guy was saying how everyone felt that our club would be a repeat of FC United of Manchester, particularly when we had that great run at the start of our club's life during the early part of the previous season.  

Half Time arrived, and I queued up  for refreshments.  Another two AFC Fans were in the queue just behind me.  High Peak Radio was being played, and they appeared to be doing some very extensive coverage of the match.  Their half time report came on, and I was very amused to hear that the local coverage dared to suggest Glossop had shaded that first half.  The two AFC fans remarked with good banter that the reporter must have been watching a different game!

Dave and I had made our way to the stand for the second half, joining up with Alan Williams and a gentleman called Bill (who used to compile our Programme Stats).  And whilst the first half had been fairly even, the second half did see us perhaps as expected under severe pressure.  Twice we had to be grateful to Lee Mullin for clearing off the line, in addition to other nervous moments.  

Andy McCoy once or twice suggested he could do something on the break, but we rarely in fairness caused them any problems to suggest an upset was ever likely.  An extra time set piece led to a Glossop player head a decent chance in the box wide.  Glossop kept going and when Paul Willis made a save just before the end of the one hundred and twenty minutes, it was clear that we just would not be beaten.   

So after quite a few let offs, a replay had been earned.  I must confess that I thought the game would go to penalties, having read a recent feature on the Vodkat League website which suggested the league were considering settling league cup ties on the day due to the recent adverse weather.  But a replay at Valerie Park it was to be.

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