'Boom Boom' John McCombe was our hero at Dartford yesterday with a late equaliser to give us a thoroughly undeserved draw in this FA Cup battle. Make no mistake we were a very clear second best, and could quite easily have been three nil down and playing with just ten men when the half-time whistle was blown.
Dartford wanted it more, fought harder, and played the better football throughout as our worrying malaise continued. Gary Roberts was extremely fortunate to have swerved a straight red halfway through the first half after throwing himself into an ugly challenge, and Dartford were well worth their 38th minute opener. We lacked creativity and conviction, and all too often could only muster a 'hoof' up to Justin Richards in lieu of any genuine attacking threat. It was all too frustrating to watch.
Ok, this is the FA Cup, and 'Giant Killing' gives us the romance of the competition, but that doesn't disguise the fact that we were awful and barely tested our non-league hosts. And lets not kid ourselves that the replay will be a mere formality, non-league opponents have hardly been overawed by a trip to Vale Park. In fact we have a dreadful record at Fortress Vale Park against minnows, off the top of my head I couldn't even list all the non-league outfits who have come to Vale Park and earnt a win or a draw in recent history. Chasetown, Canvey Island, Ford Utd, Enfield and Steve Cherry's infamous 'air kick' all spring to mind, but there are definitely more who have caused us embarrassment.
Were there any positives from yesterday? Apart from Lewis Haldane appearing in the second half for his first game this season, no. A few Fans gave it the old 'At least we didn't lose' afterwards, and I suppose that that is something to cling on to.
The replay will take place in the week commencing Monday 15th November. It will not be a walk in the park.