FOALLE’S GOAL IS TO BE BAY’S WINNER AGAIN
LYMINGTON Town say they will pull out all the stops to welcome Gary Johnson and his new Torquay United troops to their humble village Sports Ground – but won’t give them an inch on the field.
The Wessex League Premier minnows have been handed the biggest cup tie in their 25-year history after edging out Lydney Town in Tuesday night’s replay.
And they are planning a real community welcome for the fulltime Gulls, who were a Football League club until as recently as 2014.
“The whole village is buzzing for the game,” said the club’s director of football John Pyatt. “It’s the biggest game in this little club’s history by a mile and it’s pulled the whole community together.
“We are very proud to be playing a club like Torquay United in the FA Cup, although we are realistic enough to know that we are only playing them because of a bit of recent misfortune, which no-one wants to see at any club.
“Of course we will respect them and give them a warm welcome to Lymington but, on the field, we’ll be giving it a real go.
“The players and the management team can’t wait to get going and, who knows, if we can make like uncomfortable for them and catch them on a good day, we could even pull off a shock.” JACK FOALLE is quickly making a name for himself with Northern League Division One club Whitley Bay, writes MARK CARRUTHERS. The striker has made a blistering start to his second spell with the Hillheads club and went into yesterday’s FA Vase tie at Whickham with 12 goals from his opening 10 games and 10 in the last five since re-joining from Bedlington Terriers in the summer. Foalle’s side have now earned an away tie at National League North Altrincham on Saturday and the 24-year-old in setting his sights on producing a cup shock at The J.Davidson Stadium. “We go to Altrincham with no fear because we know we are underdogs,” explained Foalle. “But we will attack because that’s how we are set up to play. They will go at us because they have to do so but we won’t hold back either. “We have some experienced players in our defence and they encourage the younger lads to get on the ball and play on the front foot. “The confidence they give us spreads throughout the team and it’s one of the big reasons why we have scored 24 goals in our last five games.
“We are confident, our form is good and we have a great team spirit in the dressing room. We won’t be scared of the challenge that lies ahead of us.”
Altrincham provide a sizable test of Whitley’s credentials and boast a favourable record against Northern League opposition.
Over the past ten seasons, the Robins have beaten Shildon twice and also sent Morpeth Town and Newcastle Blue Star out of the FA Cup.
If there is a positive for Whitley, it could be that Altrincham are yet to win at home this season after losing three and drawing two of the five games on their own patch.
Fresh from fulfilling a “boyhood dream” by scoring an FA Cup winner against Evo-Stik League side Whitby Town in the last round, Foalle is now eyeing another goal that would write him into Seahorses folklore.
“Whitby was the biggest game I have played in and it was one of the reasons why I wanted to come back to the club,” he added.
“Now it’s a case of focusing on Altrincham and yes, I am dreaming about getting a winner in that game too.
“I dream about scoring in every game I play in, that is my aim and that is what I work hard to do.
“But it would mean nothing if we don’t get a result down there.”