RONALDO STOPPER CAN PASS WISDOM TO GROVE
RYAN AUSTIN knows all about life as an FA Cup underdog – now he’s hoping to turn his Kidsgrove Athletic side into giant killers.
The 33-year-old was part of the Burton Albion side which famously took the mighty Manchester United to a replay in 2006, shutting out the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney, Ole Gunnar Solksjaer and Louis Saha.
Now he is looking to create more history as manager of the Evo-Stik Division One West side when they take on National League big guns Hartlepool United in search of a place in the first-round proper for the first time.
An extra-time strike from substitute Rumenio Valido-Barai handed Grove a 2-1 replay victory over higher-ranked Workington on Tuesday night to set up a trip to Victoria Park on Saturday.
But Austin, who played over 200 games as a centre-back for Burton and another 100-plus for Brackley Town, insists he’ll be trying to keep feet firmly on the ground.
“Some of our lads won’t have played on a stage like Hartlepool before; it will be the biggest game of their careers,” Austin said.
“I’ve had some memorable FA Cup moments as a player – 0-0 draw at home to Manchester United and then the 5-0 defeat in the replay at Old Trafford, as well as beating Middlesbrough in the third round and then going to Burnley. Those will always be etched in my memory, hopefully I can pass that experience on to the lads this week.
“It proves the magic of the FA Cup does exist and upsets do happen. We have a lot of belief and some quality players in this dressing room, we will respect Hartlepool, of course we will, but at the same time we have to keep telling ourselves they are not unbeatable.
“We won’t be going to make the numbers up.”