Last updated at 08:52, Saturday, 03 November 2012

WE were told leading up to last Saturday’s FA Cup game against Tamworth the only thing that mattered was making sure we were in the hat for the first round draw.

And thanks to a brilliant 2-0 win, we did just that.

The manager had us working on a lot of things, especially defending, during the week prior to the tie, so to keep a second successive clean sheet was massive.

The game itself was a tough encounter. Both teams had a few chances in the first half, with Hursty (keeper Danny Hurst) pulling off a couple of superb saves.

Hursty was brilliant throughout and thoroughly deserves his nomination for the player of the round award (vote for him on the FA website at www.thefa.com)

Going in goalless at half-time we knew that if we created chances in the second half then we would win the tie. Ruthers (Paul Rutherford) came more into the game after the break and, along with Louis (Almond), looked really dangerous running at defenders.

Hursty made a couple more great saves before Boyesy (Adam Boyes) made it 2-0 with seven minutes to go.

It was a great to watch him rob the ball off the Tamworth defender and keeper and then run half the length of the pitch, knowing all the way that he was about to make it 2-0.

For a moment it did look like Boyesy might get caught by the chasing defender but thankfully he finished it off and it made the closing stages a lot more comfortable.

It was also nice to see someone other than me get some stick off the Barrow supporters for their haircut! Last Saturday’s it was the turn of Ruthers.

Safely in the hat, we then drew Guiseley away in the first round. No doubt people will have different opinions on this one.

We know it will be a roll-your-sleeves-up type game and it is one we are looking forward too.

Before that, however, we have an important league game away at Nuneaton tomorrow. A win would put us eight points clear of them and push us right up the table. The league is so tight at the minute and a couple of good results will do a team wonders.

We haven’t got a league game at Holker Street now until November 10 but hopefully, as usual, we will have a good travelling support cheering us on tomorrow, similar to what it was like at Braintree in our last away game.

Keep the faith and don't stop believing.

Come on you Bluebirds!

MATT FLYNN

First published at 16:30, Friday, 26 October 2012
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk