ROVERS FANZ VIEW COLUMN
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We cannot be too critical of Rovers for not beating Carlisle last week in the 1st Round of the FA Cup. They may be in the Conference but the Cumbrians have only lost twice all season, once to runaway leaders Barnet and the other at home to League One side Hartlepool in the Vans. They haven't been defeated at all on their travels and when you get into an unbeaten run like that, opponents at any level will find it hard to deal with them because they believe they can beat anyone. I suppose our unbeaten home record should have forewarned us that a draw was the most likely result, although it was disappointing to let the advantage gained by Richard Walker's late goal slip so soon from our grasp. Walker has been needing a goal because the competition is so strong for places up front this season and Forrester, Thorpe and Agogo have all scored at home in recent weeks. He may have netted down at Brighton in the League Cup early on, but most Gasheads missed seeing that one and a goal at the Mem will have silenced a few doubters. Lewis Haldane is the only striker in the squad yet to get off the mark but when you hear the home crowd's reaction, he seems as popular as Junior and it is very interesting to note how the fans are a lot more patient with him than Walker or 3-goal Thorpe. That is why it is so important to have a few Bristol Boys in the squad for the home fans to relate to, as too many journeymen can alienate a crowd. Many, including myself, would like to see Ryan Clarke retained and groomed as Kevin Miller's successor between the sticks, as he looks a decent prospect and showed his ability by saving a penalty for Kidderminster against Port Vale last week. It's always a little sad to see talented local lads like Lewis Hogg and Simon Bryant fade into obscurity and hopefully Clarkey's name won't be added to the 'wasted' list. Current number one Miller had a Jekyll and Hyde five minutes near the end of Saturday's game as firstly he punched an innocuous cross into the path of Carlisle's Brendan McGill for the equaliser when the ball was heading safely out of play, before redeeming himself moments later when he pulled off an incredible save to tip a searing strike from Kevin Henderson onto the bar. That kept our name in the hat for Sunday's 2nd Round draw and everyone was hoping for more Atkins luck when the balls were picked out. Our manager has seen his clubs draw Norwich, Aston Villa and Arsenal twice in the last few years, and our run in this season's LDV Vans Trophy has been aided by some helpful home ties but unfortunately we got a sticky fixture away at Forest Green or Bournemouth. We were knocked out in Dorset last season, so I don't fancy going back there again, particularly when the alternative could be a full house up the road at The Lawn in Nailsworth. We cannot get ahead of ourselves though, as there's the matter of a daunting replay in Cumbria to come first.
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