Gale: I’d love another uplifting cup run
Gosport Borough manager Shaun Gale knows all about the highs and lows of the FA Cup.
He was manager of Havant & Waterlooville on the greatest day in their history when they took on mighty Liverpool at Anfield.
That day in 2008 was a non-league manager's dream but Gale has also experienced the disappointment of being at the wrong end of a cup giant-killing. In 2009/10 he was in charge when Hawks lost to lower division Chippenham and h was assistant in 2018 when the National League club were dumped out by lower tier Met Police.
Borough start out on their FA Cup trail with an awkward looking tie at Western League Tavistock Town tonight.
A long midweek journey to Devon has all the makings of a cup upset.
Gale recognises this and accepts his team will have to have their wits about them if they are to progress.
'This is a big game for the football club,' said Gale. 'It isn't ideal having to travel all this way in midweek but it is what it is.
'For us it is all about mental attitude and there is no doubt that we will have to be at our best.
'Tavistock are in good form and we will treat them with the utmost respect. But it is more about us and how we play. Our experienced players have a big part to play and we will need to exhibit the same resilience we showed in our 0-0 draw at Chesham.
'We need another gutsy professional performance.
'The players have been prepared properly and we are leaving early to avoid any travel problems.
'There is no doubt that we expect to be tested to the full.’
Gale added: 'I would love to go on another great cup run and who knows what might happen.
'It is important that we try to go as far as we can in the competition.
'A good cup run can be so uplifting for the players and the club as a whole, particularly in the current national situation.'