T'S a little more than 12 hours since Tommy Widdrington walked his back through front door after getting home from Aldershot Town's FA Cup triumph and he's back on the road.
"It's our annual Christmas Carol service in a local church," the Shots boss tells The NLP.
Will he be in fine voice? "I'll try but my voice is a bit croaky after last night as I was getting a little anxious towards the end of the game," he laughs.
The fans who made the long trip to Stockport County on Wednesday night were likely a little hoarse the next day too.
Olly Scott's 88th-minute winner fired the Hampshire outfit into the FA Cup third round proper for the first time since 2012-13 and only the third time in club history.
"The ball goes in the box, there were seven challenges - and we win every one," Widdrington says of the scrambled goal. "And that tells you that, in the 88th minute, my lads weren't happy just to see the game out and draw.
"I didn't even know who had scored at the time but I watched the game back this morning and he caught it really well- he needed to.
"We've scored a lot of late goals this season. A few times we've been behind when we've needed them, thankfully on this occasion one goal was enough.
"The goalscorer, rightly, gets a bit more of the adulation but everyone who played is a credit to themselves. I asked them to be the best version of themselves that they could be. I knew we'd need to be that to be in the game, never mind win the game." A trip to Championship outfit West Bromwich Albion awaits on January 7.
For now it's back to the National League, where the Shots find themselves in the play-off race, ahead of a busy schedule that includes back-to-back games over Christmas with fierce rivals Woking.
Bu hikaye The Non-League Football Paper dergisinin December 17, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye The Non-League Football Paper dergisinin December 17, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
BRENNAN STINGS 'MOANY' BEES!
FRUSTRATED Dean Brennan has lashed out at the \"miserable, moany\" Barnet boo boys and urged them to get behind the team in their bid for promotion.
ACE REED WAITED TO MAKE A MARK
WHEN Mark Reed sensed his manager turn around to look his way on Tuesday night, he knew what was coming next.
CHURCH HAILS TEENAGE KICKS
DEBUTANT Dan Shaw got his teenage kicks with the rocket that fired Alvechurch to the top of the table.
LEES SO PROUD OF HIS SHAKERS
SUPER Shakers made it 14 games unbeaten this season after easing to victory against struggling NPL outfit Blyth Spartans.
SEVEN-UP A STONES
RONAN Silva turned in a four-star display as Salisbury highlighted the three-division difference in quality against their Wessex Premier opponents.
HORGAN'S RELIEF AT TOWN SIX APPEAL
CHIPPENHAM Town heeded manager Gary Horgan's prematch warning about a potential shock and despatched their Jewson Western League hosts.
BRAD'S LEVELLER RESCUES THE IRON
IN A terrific FA Cup second qualifying round tie, Step 4 Newcastle Town held National League North leaders Scunthorpe at Buckmaster Avenue.
WHING IS SURE IT'S MOOR OF THE SAME
A BRACE from Conor Wilkinson brought Solihull Moors back-to-back National League victories.
MOR'S U'S ARE BACK ON TRACK
SUTTON United got back to winning ways with a wel come victory at Southend United.
DUO GET THEIR JUST REWARDS
ENGLAND legend Stuart Pearce has made surprise appearances at two Trident League clubs to hail a pair of award-winning volunteers who earned national recognition for their inspirational exploits.