The Welsh public had waited some 45 years to see all four sides in the third round, but fans will look back on this historic weekend with contrasting views.
New Swansea City Boss Luke Williams will have been satisfied to see his new boys overcome Morecombe at home in West Wales. Charlie Patino gave the Swans a first half lead before Jerry Yates blasted in a second to put the Championship side into the hat for the fourth round draw. Tougher tests await the former Notts County manager in the Swansea hot seat.
No such joy for the capital city however, as Cardiff City crashed out of the competition 4-0 away to Sheffield Wednesday. A makeshift City side did not make things easy for themselves at Hillsborough, contributing an own goal and two missed penalties. The Bluebirds have found goals hard to come by of late and will have been interested to see transfer target Kieffer Moore grab a headed goal for Bournemouth at QPR.
Newport County will be kicking themselves after failing to defeat 10-man Eastleigh at Rodney Parade. The National League side earned a terrific result and find themselves also in the draw for the next round alongside their Welsh opponents. Both will await the draw with excitement.
The ‘tie of the round’ from a Welsh perspective saw Wrexham make the short trip to Shrewsbury for a sell-out clash with nearby Shrewsbury Town. Prost were in the press box for this one.
Despite the modern if modest surroundings of the Croud Meadow, Shrewsbury, this game took place in an old school, white hot atmosphere between two sides separated by little more than the England/Wales border.
A sea of yellow & blue flags turned the Salop Leisure Stand into a mini San Siro. At the opposite, a sold out away contingent brought 1600 Welsh to Shropshire.
In a frantic opening, Taylor Perry, Cheyenne Dunkley and Jordan Shipley saw early chances for the home side. Paul Mullin fired over for the men in red.
Notwithstanding the intensity of the battle, the game showed little signs of composure as both sides threw themselves into the fray. Tummise Sobowale wasted a chance near the half hour mark. Salop sighed with a heavy heart.
Perry fired over for Town after good work by Joe Anderson down the right but, with each side now attacking their noisy home fans after the interval, the scruffy, lusty pattern of the first half continued.
Shrewsbury’s Malvind Benning almost illuminated the darkening skies with a cool strike with the outside of his boot after a twinkling run, but this was a rare moment of class in a tough game. As if to emphasise the point, Elliot Lee sent a poor shot over the opposite crossbar in response.
The deadlock was broken on 72 minutes as Thomas O’Connor’s shot deflected past Marko Marosi to send the travelling Welsh fans into gleeful celebration. A scruffy yet precious goal.
Finally we saw some composure as the visitors protected their lead with calm resolution, threatening on the break. Perry wasted chances to equalise late in the day but that was that.
So its Swansea, Wrexham and (just) Newport County who take the Red Dragon into the draw for round four.
DAVID COLLINS
WELSH FOOTBALL CORRESPONDENT
Follow us on Twitter @ProstInt
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Milton Keynes Dons are continuing to carry on the momentum and feel-good-factor inside Stadium MK, securing nine points out of a possible nine over the festive period, despite the awful calendar year fans have had to endure.
Three managers, 54 players used, 60 goals scored, 61 goals shipped, a relegation and three failed cup campaigns. It really does not make the prettiest of reading.
The shoots are there for what both might have been, but also where it could be even worse.
For starters, the Dons were one point away from playing Championship football in 2023, but after narrowly missing out on getting promoted in the 2021-22 season, they stayed in League One and the unthinkable occurred 12 months later, going from the top of the league table to the bottom and sliding down the pyramid to tier four.
In their plummet, the Dons amassed a meagre 24 points from 23 matches and only secured one win in their final nine games of the season, sealing their fate.
The performances were a lightyear off those that had come in the previous season.
With the head coach having the rug pulled from under him and being replaced by Graham Alexander, the Dons saw an overhaul in the style and setup in which they play, going from a progressive possession-based to one more structured and disciplined, to fit the mould in which Alexander likes to play.
To call the football negative would be unfair, but individuals are now more adept to building out from the back, passing out of danger to evade pressure in tight spaces, than going route one as their initial modus operandi.
So those players brought into Stadium MK alongside those already in the building had to quickly alter and curb their natural instincts to meet their managers’ demands.
This saw the departure of all the loanees and several key personnel following the relegation and the Dons recruited a mixture of experience and youth, those which Alexander felt he could sculpt to player the desired tactic.
It soon became apparent that this was not working and with his side sitting 17th in the League Two table, the Scotsman fell on his sword, quickly replaced by Mike Williamson, becoming the third hotseat incumbent in just 15 games.
Ripping up the Alexander handbook and returning the Dons to their possession style, known locally as “the MK way”, the former Newcastle centre back has overseen ten matches, gaining 23 points from a possible 30.
Winning seven, drawing two and losing just one, his first, one day after joining and with no chance of a single training session with his new side under his belt.
This upturn in form has the Buckinghamshire outfit sitting safely inside the Play off places with eyes on catching those higher.
The rare moments of success and highs were quickly tempered the realism of where they currently sit in the football pyramid, but you do have to celebrate and embrace any shining lights that come your way.
Whilst the lows are too many to mention, the positives in the first half of the calendar year were less than regular, the obvious place which to start the celebratory remarks is with the club captain, stalwart and overriding fans’ favourite, Dean Lewington.
The 39-year-old celebrated the record for breaking the EFL record appearances for one side, amassing 771, with the Boxing Day win over Colchester United breaking the milestone.
Having made his debut under Stewart Murdoch in 2004, to equal the record with his 770th appearance 19 years’ later against Morecambe, where Murdoch now works as a scout.
Before the game at home to Crawley Town three days later, Lewington was presented with an award by EFL Chief Executive Trevor Birch and MK Chairman Pete Winkelman to mark the achievement and both sets of players gave the defender a guard of honour.
With the previous record standing for 43 years, it is one whereby the watermark left by Lewington is higher than will be achievable in the modern game.
With the game being more fluid in terms of transfers, less and less players are spending their careers at just one side.
In terms of closeness to Lewington from the current crop of players, Alan Browne of Preston North End, currently has 356 appearances to his name, and with him being 28, he would have to play every match for the next nine seasons just to catch, and that’s without Lewington adding to his tally which he looks set to do just that for a while to come.
Credit: Alistair Marriott
The other positive lights appear to be the development of striker Max Dean and the successful integration of the new head coach in Mike Williamson.
Having mentioned above the pace at which Williamson has hit the ground running, it has been aided immeasurably by the emergence of the 19-year-old.
Having scored six goals and assisted once since the change of leadership, his attacking threat has been a fulcrum and an ever-present under the new regime.
Along with midfielders Alex Gilbey and Jack Payne, the trio have formed an excellent partnership, with the pair assisting all of Dean’s goals and Dean’s assist being for Gilbey.
The shoots are beginning to grow under the new leadership and the Dons will be hoping that how they ended 2023 will be exactly what carries into 2024.
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]]>Milton Keynes Dons are having a stellar festive period and show no signs of slowly down as they saw off Colchester United in a laboured-yet-determined fashion, running out 1-0 victors.
Having put Morecambe to the sword on their own ground with a ruthless 1-3 away win, the Dons then turned their attention to Colchester, under the management of Matthew Etherington and the visitor’s performance belied their lowly position toward the foot of the League table, showing glimpses of real quality, offering up a more than stern test.
It took to the second half and the dying embers of the match for the pressure to finally tell.
Coming out of the interval the game flowed better than the opening salvo’s and having survived a couple of scares along the path, MK unleased a barrage of chances, carving open one chance after another but found themselves facing Owen Goodman in goal for the U’s, making a hatful of wondrous saves to deny the attacking frontline.
Despite the final onslaught more resembling a training ground scenario of attack vs defence, Colchester managed to withstand and repel until the 89th minute when substitute Ellis Harrison bundled home from close range to earn the spoils.
The match also marked Dean Lewington’s 771st club appearance, breaking a 43-year-old record held by John Trollope, and one which come to the time the legendary defender does hang up his boots, given the lack of permanency in modern-day football, may never be broken.
At kick off, the fans revealed a banner saying “Then. Now. Forever.” In honour of the captain and club stalwart.
771 games for one team, across 20 years shows incredible fitness, determination, and drive to maintain the skill required to play at one of the highest levels in the English football pyramid.
Credit: DonsAction
With two hard-fought victories from the two games of the bumper Christmas football calendar completed, Mike Williamson, will be hoping to continue the momentum as they face Crawley Town and Doncaster Rovers within the next six days.
Williamson, in his first football league managerial stint since cutting his teeth at Gateshead, has hit the ground running, and is looking to carry on game-after-game.
They are not only limiting the chances the opposition are having per game, dropping from an average of 8.6 shots on target, to 4.7.
This even takes into consideration two matches which were real thrillers, ending 3-2 and 4-2 against Swindon Town and Salford City respectively.
With the 40-year-old able to call upon his Premier League experience, alongside his coaching pedigree, he and his backroom staff have seen an immediate affect as they have improved the abilities of his defenders, raised the cohesion and the defensive structure of his squad each week.
If you are not conceding as many shots, you are not conceding as many goals.
One of the other contributary factors of this has been that because the Dons are controlling more possession than before it means that the production levels have increased too.
Under the previous leadership of Graham Alexander, the Dons failed to produce anything of substance, threw away several positive positions and fundamentally looked weak in terms of the level of play.
Using Alexander’s last game in charge, at home to Barrow, the Dons were winning 2-0 in the 93rd minute and somehow contrived to draw, 2-2.
They only mustered 38% possession throughout the match and managed just five attempts to score also.
Conceding 62% of the ball, at home, allowing a whopping 18 chances in the game and then capitulating in the final seconds emphasised the lack of structure, leadership and understanding at what was being asked of them under the previous regime.
Fast forward 11 weeks, and the picture paints a different story.
Having to face just three attempts, controlling 66% of the possession and unleashing a season-high 27 shots, it is to no surprise that the Dons came out on top.
Under Alexander, it may well have been a different result, with the hosts not coming out on top, possibly succumbing at the very death.
It is clear the fundamental areas in which the change of leadership at Stadium MK has born fruit.
Looking ahead to the new year, the recruitment team within Stadium MK will know the areas they need to look at improving and which players to look at shipping out.
Strengthening the squad depth, as apposed to recruiting players to the starting eleven will be the number one priority.
Using the strike force as an example, the Dons have Max Dean, Mo Eisa, Matthew Dennis, and Ellis Harrison.
Whilst it is one which a lot of other sides would be envious for, the system that Williamson chooses to operate with may negatively affect that selection of player.
Playing just one up top in a 4-2-3-1 formation, you could argue that the depth may be bloated.
However, Harrison and Dennis are more used to playing a differing style, one that is less possession orientated and more direct.
Whilst it is a good issue to have, there a several players throughout the ranks that are more accustomed to playing less-possessive system.
It is likely that Liam Sweeting, the Technical Director, will be looking to move on the likes of Tommy Smith and Anthony Stewart from their central defensive options and look to offer an avenue for their Irish midfield contingent in Dawson Devoy and Darragh Burns a chance to get minutes into their legs, which is currently not available given their head coach’s desire to play others ahead.
With the Christmas fixture list halfway through and six points collected from a possible six, it would have been the perfect present for Williamson to unwrap.
If his troops can make it 12 out of 12, his New Years’ wishes will have come true too!
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]]>Mike Williamson has really turned around the fortunes of Milton Keynes Dons in the early days of his tenure, despite barely getting his feet under the table, having been in the hot seat for only a matter of weeks.
Since his arrival, the Dons have won four out of their seven league games, with two draws coming and the solitary loss was on the road to Accrington Stanley, his first game, and that came after just one day in charge.
“With a pragmatic approach it is either black or white, whereas, with a progressive and positive style of play, fans can see shoots and signs of progression if they are there, earning the managerial incumbent longer to prove their mettle”
What has the 40-year-old targeted to gain the initial “new manager bounce” that all chairmen and supporters wish for after a change?
Firstly, there was the return to a style of football that became known in Buckinghamshire as “the MK Way”.
When Karl Robinson took over in 2010, the then-young manager making his first foray into management prioritised a possession-based style, which immediately won over the fanbase and saw relative success.
Ever since, supporters have always had a penchant for seeing their team play in a positive-yet-possessive manner.
Throughout the years at Stadium MK, Chairman and Owner Pete Winkelman has employed managers and head coaches who fit these exact criteria, but on two occasions the mould was thrown out of the window with the tenures of Robbie Neilson and most recently Graham Alexander.
Both received the sack in rather tumultuous circumstances; Neilson’s players arguing with the fanbase after a loss and Alexander blaming everyone and everything but himself for the horrific run of results all inside Stadium MK had to endure.
A pragmatic style of football will always have a place in the professional game, but most supporters up and down the country want instantaneous success at their clubs. If it is not winning, it is not working.
With a pragmatic approach it is either black or white, whereas, with a progressive and positive style of play, fans can see shoots and signs of progression if they are there, earning the managerial incumbent longer to prove their mettle and more of an opportunity to try out different dynamics in their squad.
In the Dons’ most recent two home league outings against Grimsby Town and Forest Green Rovers, it was one of the first real tests against sides with a similar philosophy.
Grimsby, under the stewardship of David Artell, matched fire with fire and put on a footballing clinic.
Passing with purpose and attacking in numbers, rather than one or two going on lonesome forays, the Mariners were both good for and deserved of their half time lead.
Led by their captain, striker Danny Rose, the away side seemed galvanised in Artell’s first match in charge, looking anything but a side entering the contest with just one victory from their last nine matches.
The Dons looked lethargic by comparison to their counterparts, however you could argue it was more a case of Grimsby outplaying the hosts, seeing as they managed to scupper any attempts by Williamson’s men to create anything of substance in the final third.
It was almost as though a switch was flicked on the hour-mark as the Dons took over the ascendancy.
Sitting in a losing 1-0 score line with just half an hour to go, Milton Keynes bundled home an equaliser through midfielder Jack Payne and this led to Williamson immediately rolling the dice.
Having sacrificed a centre back to employ an extra striker, the hosts began to turn the screw and build heavy pressure.
It was in the fifth minute of five added that MK squandered a gilt-edged chance, the best of the match. The goal was gaping for striker Mo Eisa to make the net bulge, only to skew his attempt wide of the post with barely seconds left.
For either of the two sides to come away empty-handed would have been very unjust.
Although across the ninety minutes it was the visitors who performed the best and played the more fluid football, it was the Dons who had the best opportunities and can be left to rue what might have been.
In their match against Forest Green Rovers, it followed a break of over two weeks and that only appeared to breath a positive, refreshed air on the pitch.
The Dons were sharper, quicker to second balls and looked far more efficient in possession than the visitors.
It only took 21 minutes for striker Max Dean to fire home a clinical finish before the lead was doubled on the hour through Jack Payne, both strikes from just inside the penalty area and their dominance duly showed as they ran out 2-0 victors.
Having both fallen out of the third tier following relegation last term, it is the Buckinghamshire outfit that have taken up the challenge of getting out of League Two at the first time of asking with greater aplomb.
Despite both following a similar recruitment policy with respect to adding several experienced players to their ranks, it was the Dons who also signed up a couple of developing talents, one being winger Joe Tomlinson and their fluid, more creative abilities came to the fore.
Rovers lacked the creativity to really trouble the Dons defence and relied on set pieces for openings, which in the end did not muster.
It was a good, solid three points for the Dons and one they can really build on going into the hectic Christmas and New Year fixture congestion.
Across the two displays, MK the head coach Williamson can really see what he has been working on coming to fruition.
Having dominated one game and deserved three points in the other, the performances will be pleasing on both the eye and table as his side continue to creep upwards and on just two points outside of the Play off places, all whilst having two games in hand over several of the opponents.
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]]>MK Dons put managerless Bradford City to the sword on Tuesday night, running 4-1 victors to give Mike Williamson his first three points as head coach.
It was the side from Buckinghamshire’s most potent display of the season to date and will lift fans spirits greatly.
Mike Williamson’s arrival at Stadium MK and his first foray in front of the home supporters was like a breath of fresh air, as his side gave arguably one of the best displays in the last three seasons.
The side look rejuvenated, unshackled, and eager to get onto the front foot, somewhat in stark contrast to what was on display under the previous managerial regime of Graham Alexander.
Goals from Joe Tomlinson, Jack Payne, Max Dean and Alex Gilbey sealed the three points and gave the Bantams little chances in the 90 minutes.
If the game versus Bradford City can provide anything to read in to, the days of lethargic and monotonous route one football have been abandoned, opening the door for playing through the phases and seemingly passing with purpose.
Off the ball the intensity of defence has increased and there appears a determination to win back the ball, energetically pressing and harrying the opposing defenders.
Having only had three days on the training field with his new players, you would be hard-pressed to expect a complete turnaround in style and pattern so quickly, after all it is just the second game in after just seven days in the role, but it is obvious to all in attendance that the hard work is beginning to sprout roots and that is all Williamson could wish for.
For those recruited to the football club in the last twelve months, it will spell positives for most players, but for a select few, question how often they will take to the field at Stadium MK.
Whilst Williamson’s arrival will see players such as Conor Grant and Ethan Robson breathe a huge sigh of relief, Anthony Stewart and Ellis Harrison may not share the same level of enthusiasm.
Players spend their careers on the football pitch, yet off the field every performance gets dissected, and under the microscope the method, or style which they are more suited to individually is a tag which tends to stick.
Taking Anthony Stewart for example, having been a stalwart for Wycombe Wanderers under Gareth Ainsworth, whose Chairboys were never a team that attempted to play on the floor, work the ball around the pitch, carving opportunities.
They built their success and consistency on being a more pragmatic, robust outfit that were happy to concede possession and not worry about having 400 passes a match, simply put, just making the result the most important.
“Winning ugly” became a mantra for Alexander and Stewart was a perfect player to fit and operate in his mould.
Having left Wycombe and moved over the border to Aberdeen, who operate a similar style to the Milton Keynes, Stewart just could not break the mould and was quickly shipped out after just 20 displays.
Having found himself in MK, he must now either reinvent himself or find that he could be in the cold.
Striker Ellis Harrison, recruited for his ability to put the ball in the back of the net, after a prolific spell for League One Port Vale, dropped down a division as he moved south to the Dons.
Having scored just once since joining, it was not the return the powerful forward had wished for, and as a player not known for his possession-retention ability, his days as a number nine in a Williamson-led Dons outfit could be sparse to say the least.
Under a new leadership team no place in the side is guaranteed and for those who stepped in for their first starts in recent weeks, they took the opportunity to showcase what they can add, giving Williamson a positive selection headache.
Upon taking the job and looking at what the previous three head coaches had selected, he may have questioned why all of those did not see Conor Grant as a player they could rely on.
Yet, after being brought back in from the cold to make only his second appearance and first start of the campaign, the Irishman did not let his new coach down.
Winning seven of his 9 duels he competed for and making numerous key passes in the first half, Grant let his football do the talking.
He and his new head coach will be hoping that this was more than just a one time display.
The Dons will not have to wait long for their next chance to play to keep the momentum building and confidence growing as they host Swindon Town on Saturday.
If they pick up at the weekend exactly where they ended against Bradford, that can only spell good things for the supporters of Milton Keynes.
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]]>While readers will be aware of the high profile, high octane, regular clashes between Cardiff City and Swansea City, League Two also throws up a Welsh rivalry these days, as Newport County and Wrexham now occupy the same division for the first time in many years.
While Wrexham have been the subject of worldwide attention since Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney bought them in November 2020, it is their somewhat less glamorous neighbours from the South, Newport County, who have been setting the early pace in this second battle for Welsh bragging rights.
County began their recent fixture away to Crawley Town in sixth position, with their North Wales rivals down in 13th though only a point below.
Unsurprisingly given their lofty position, boss Graham Coughlan made few changes for the trip to Sussex, with the inclusion of James Waite being the only alteration from the previous outing.
Star man Will Evans, who some think is worthy of inclusion in Robert Page’s Wales squad, started at no. 7 for County. Wrexham faced Doncaster Rovers at the STōK Cae Ras, previously known as the Racecourse.
Newport suffered a Sussex setback early doors though, as Nick Tsaroulla delighted the enthusiastic crowd behind Nick Townsend’s goal by firing crisply past the County keeper after only five minutes. The lead lasted only moments, as experienced County striker Omar Bogle smashed the visitors level. Two in two for the former Cardiff City man.
Bogle was having a fine game for County with Ronan Darcy also catching the eye for the Red Devils in a lively opening. Much needed drinks break on 25 minutes.
No such excitement up North though, with the two sides level halfway through the first half of an uneventful sounding encounter.
Paul Mullin sat on the Wrexham bench after a long injury lay off. Comparisons between last year’s Golden Boy of Welsh football and Evans of Newport occupied the minds of the travelling journalists down in Sussex.
A right-footed shot from Liam Kelly, which Townsend grabbed with confidence, was as near we came to more goals at Crawley as the lively early pace inevitably slackened in the heat. The seven added minutes would be gruelling!
In Wrexham, things had livened up though. Luke Young hit a left footed shot from the centre of the box into the corner of the net to give the home side the lead at half time.
Comparing the fortunes of the two Welsh clubs from my seat on the crowded press benches at the Broadfield Stadium made for an interesting half time break.
Wrexham of course enjoy the backing of USA stars; whist Newport boast more modest finances. We hear though that the County Board of Directors is in advanced negotiations with the two potential investor groups who are interested in making a significant investment in the Club in return for a majority shareholding.
10,254 were in attendance for Doncaster’s trip to Wrexham by the way, while the same side drew only 3,989 on their visit to Rodney Parade last month. The Wrexham dream shows no sign of fading.
Newport County have settled into life in League 2 in recent seasons though and are emerging into a steady outfit at this level. Wrexham are on something of a learning curve of course having enjoyed things much their own way in recent years. Sides like Doncaster Rovers will provide sterner tests – as evidenced by Rovers’ equalizer on 52 minutes.
Back down in West Sussex, it was Newport’s turn to experience a dip in fortunes. Adam Campbell restored the home side’s advantage on 54 minutes before curling in a splendid third goal for the Red Devils on 67 minutes. Bogle, on the other hand was denied a brace by the assistant referee’s flag. 2,949 in attendance at Crawley by the way, including 286 visiting fans.
As skipper Ben Gladwin made it 4-1 to Crawley, we began to wonder if County have the resources to play the sort of high tempo game favoured by Coughlan. The lads wilted in the heat.
“Resources” are unlikely to be a constraint for Wrexham on the other hand one feels, where a late winner from Elliott Lee could, for the time being at least, see the balance of power heading northwards.
Crawley Town 4: Newport County 1
Wrexham 2: Doncaster Rovers 1
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Captain, leader, legend – repeat. In a weekend filled with heart-racing drama, Paul Huntington enjoyed more EFL Play-Off success, this time with his boyhood club.
Just over eight years ago to the day, Paul Huntington played a pivotal role in Preston North End’s promotion under the Wembley arch as they demolished Swindon Town. Nearly a decade later, and he’s now leading Carlisle United to the same fate as they ran out Play-Off winners against Stockport County on penalties.
After neither side could find a winner, a score line of 1-1 led to the second Play-Off penalty shootout in consecutive days. And whilst Huntington would’ve preferred to win in similar fashion to his last visit to Wembley where he scored North End’s second on the day in a 4-0 hammering, he would’ve enjoyed the aftermath just as much.
In a squad that’s littered with passion and strong, experienced characters, Carlisle United came from behind to equalise with just minutes left to play at the home of football as Omari Patrick slotted home to send the Carlisle fans into ruptures.
It’s also a squad which Huntington’s former side, Preston know all too well. The squad contains the likes of Joe Garner – a name which will raise a smile of every Preston North End fan’s face, Jack Armer – a boyhood Preston fan and graduate of the Lilywhites’ academy, and then the manager, Paul Simpson – who previously left Carlisle to join North End back in 2004.
Speaking to Carlisle’s official website, Huntington said: “What a feeling. This is the best place to win. I’ve managed to do it here a couple of times now and I’m just trying to soak it all in.
“I’m a lot older now than when I came with Preston and I’ve just thanked the manager then for bringing me back.
“I had a quick look at the odds before the game and we weren’t really fancied, people were saying that Stockport were the favourites and that’s fine with us. But we’re in League One. We’ll enjoy this moment and the next few days and then we’ll be looking to get even better for next year.
“We’ve practised penalties for the past few weeks and to be fair, they’ve been class. Taylor’s (Charter) the hero and I’m just delighted for him, delighted for the lads and just what an occasion and what a place to do it.”
Affectionally known as ‘Hunts’ and the ‘Cumbrian Cannavaro’, the Carlisle skipper would’ve felt this promotion more than most as he lifted the trophy on the biggest stage for his local side following the penalty win.
“When I found out we was on the West side of the Stadium I must’ve text all my Preston friends and family because I’ve been on the other side and lost as a young 19 year old and now been on this side twice and won twice.
“It means a lot. Being from the city and the buzz that we’ve created as a group with the manager – this is what it’s about.”
Huntington also described an emotional moment when lifting the trophy.
“I said to Morgan (Feeney) ‘you lift it’ and he said ‘no, we’ll do it together’ which was nice. I think Coldplay was playing and I could see my daughter, so it set me off a bit so hopefully the cameras didn’t catch that.
“But it’s been a while since I’ve played in league one, 2015 for me but I think that’s where we should be. We have to tie down our better players in the summer and add to it and then we’ll go again with the right guy in charge who’s not just a top manager or coach, he’s a top person who’s loved here.”
And finally when asked what it’s like to captain the club he supports and where he’s from, the centre half couldn’t speak highly enough of the Cumbrian club.
“I can’t even put it into words. We got a ‘Cumbrians picture’ before and the amount of people I knew in the stands, I was just trying to soak it in. But seeing all those familiar faces, I just hope some of them are celebrating with us tonight because it’s going to be some party.”
Whilst there’s possibly a summer testimonial awaiting Paul Huntington back in Lancashire after reaching a decade of service for North End before moving to Carlisle, he’ll be sure to be spending a few weeks celebrating in Cumbria first. At 35 years of age, putting a bit of cramp aside, Huntington still looks like he could play for years as he headed absolutely everything away on a memorable trip to the capital.
At a near deserted Brunton Park, Paul Huntington, who has captained his home city club to Wembley, shares a moment with his young family in the centre circle #cufc pic.twitter.com/BWFUxVWt2m
— Jon Colman (@joncolman) May 20, 2023
But in two successful Wembley trips, Paul Huntington has now wrote himself into two scriptures of football history and will forever be a legend at Brunton Park.
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Julen Lopetegui will begin his new era at Wolves on Tuesday night as they host Gillingham of League Two in the Carabao Cup at Molineux.
The Spaniard will be hoping for his new Wolves side to progress into the quarter finals of the League Cup, as the former Sevilla manager takes charge of his first official game at the club.
Wolves will make a welcome return to competitive action as the World Cup saw the Premier League sides take a break with the season halted in mid-November.
The tie with Gillingham comes after the Spaniard has enjoyed over a month with the Premier League side, having been confirmed as the Wolves manager in early November.
The 56-year-old was unveiled to the Wolves fans in their home league loss to leaders Arsenal before taking charge during the World Cup tournament held in Qatar.
Wolves have played recent friendlies against Birmingham City, Empoli and Cádiz beating the La Liga side 4-3 and drawing the two former games.
Lopetegui is positive ahead of the cup fixture with Gillingham, satisfied that his side are putting in the effort to turn their season around.
He said: “I think they are working very hard.
“In the matches against Birmingham and in Spain against Empoli and Cadiz, step by step I think they are understanding more about us, and in the same way us about them.
“We have to improve more in the next matches and tomorrow is the first important test because it’s the first official match.
“We are playing an exciting Carabao Cup tie, we want to win.
“We know it’s going to be a hard task because it’s the cup and we are talking about only one match. This is football and we know what can happen, so we have to be ready, but at the same time, we want to win this match a lot.”
Gillingham progressed through to this stage of the competition beating Brentford 6-5 on penalties, as the game finished one-a-piece at the Brentford Community Stadium.
The Gills saw off AFC Wimbledon winning 2-0 in the first round before beating Exeter City also 6-5 on penalties to earn the cup match with the Bees.
After the dramatic win in West London, they were rewarded with another big away tie at Wolves and Lopetegui is aware of the threat that his opponents bring.
“I know that they have eliminated Brentford and I feel they are going to be a very dangerous team.
“In the cup all things can happen because it’s only one match.
“We have to be ready, we are alert and we know the way they play usually and we have to be ready for tomorrow.
“It’s a team that is very clear how they want to play, and we have to be ready to double up in our best way.”
Despite the emphatic cup run, the Gills sit bottom of League Two with just two wins from 20 league games.
Likewise to their opponents Wolves also sit bottom in their retrospective league, with two wins from the campaign so far.
The struggling Wolves will look to ignite a spark in their season and get off to a win to resume after the break.
With just ten points so far this season in the Premier League and just one from their last five games thanks to a draw against Brentford, Lopetegui will hope to turn things around and make Molineux a fortress for his new side.
The Midlands team secured their place in the round of 16 with a 1-0 win over Leeds. Boubacar Traore found the net for the winning goal which was his first in gold and black.
However, Wolves will be without the Malian as Lopetegui confirmed the injuries within the squad.
“We have a problem with Jonny and ‘Bouba’ [Traore].
“The rest of the players are ready.”
The tie may see striker Raul Jimenez feature with Hwang Hee-Chan also looking to help Wolves return to winning ways after finding the net in Qatar against Portugal, sending South Korea into the last-16.
Lopetegui said on Jimenez: “He’s working very hard, like the rest of the squad.”
Adding: “He’s trying to improve his feet and his body to feel better to help more.
“Tomorrow is going to a chance for him and the rest of the squad and he’s trying to improve us, like the rest of the players.
Gillingham on the other hand, battling to remain in the EFL, come into the game fresh from two postponements.
Their fixtures against Bradford City and Stockport County were called off due to a frozen pitch as the League Two side will look to cause another huge upset against Wolves and inflict an early blow on Lopetegui’s new era at Wolves.
The Kent-based side have proven their capability to overcome a Premier League side and will hope to do it once again to set up a big last-eight tie for themselves.
The Gills are enjoying big cup ties so far this season with the League Two side having been drawn against Leicester in the third-round of the FA Cup, bound to supply the club with extra required funds.
Neil Harris’ side’s last game saw them beat Dagenham and Redbridge 3-2 in an FA Cup replay at the Priestfield Stadium after being battered 3-0 by Salford at home five days before.
The Carabao Cup Round-of-16 tie kicks off at 7:45 at Molineux with Lopetegui hoping to get off to a winning start with his Wolves.
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Gillingham and Stevenage extend their unbeaten runs to six games following hard-fought encounter ending in a 1-1 draw.
Despite the disparity in league position, both sides were protecting a run of five games without a loss headed into a League Two clash pitting Neil Harris against former Gills boss Steve Evans.
After early pressure from the visitors, it was Gillingham who went closest to opening the scoring as Scott Kashket glaringly blazed a Hakeeb Adelakun cross over from two yards out.
‘Boro capitalised on this minutes later with the game’s first breakthrough in which the wingbacks played a vital role.
First, Luther Wildin whipped in a dangerous cross across the Gillingham six yard box that agonisingly evaded all in Stevenage colours. However, talented Norwich City loanee Saxon Earley picked up the pieces and delivered an exquisite ball of his own for Danny Rose to head home his fifth goal in all competitions.
Gillingham were able to react well to going behind, with some promising attacks galvanising the Priestfield faithful.
With half time on the horizon, the scores were levelled Elkan Baggott headed home a delightful Will Wright delivery.
The second half saw some fiery passages of play, including some frustrations being scathingly vocalised from many in Stevenage colours, and indeed those on the touchline.
Saxon Earley and Danny Rose were proving a dangerous partnership, with the 20-year-old picking out the Stevenage front man once more with a pinpoint cross, this time without the end product to show for it.
There were a number of returns for ex-Gillingham players and staff alike in this game. One such return was that of Jordan Roberts who, admittedly, had a modest stint in Kent whilst on loan from Ipswich back in 2020.
The 28-year-old had the perfect opportunity to leave a lasting impression on the Rainham End faithful as he was one-on-one with Glenn Morris in acres of space, but skewed his effort wide of the target altogether in what would be the best chance to win the game.
Unsurprisingly, Steve Evans was at the centre of attention at full time as he lambasted the referee and his assistants for their decisions in the second half, much to the amusement of those present in the Rainham End.
A draw proves a satisfactory if not overwhelming result for both outfits, with Gillingham continuing their steadying process, whilst Stevenage remain top of the league but missed the chance to extend their lead with Leyton Orient also dropping points.
The Gills will return to the MEMS Priestfield Stadium next Saturday as they welcome the visit of a Barrow side on the back of five straight defeats.
As for Stevenage, they will next return in the Papa John’s Trophy at the Lamex Stadium as they take on Tottenham Hotspur U21.
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]]>After managing the Gills for almost three years, the 59-year-old returns to the Kent club for the very first time as he looks to maintain his Stevenage side’s lead at the top of League Two.
Sometimes, sporting narratives write themselves, and though Gillingham v Stevenage may not leap off the page as a fixture, there is certainly plenty behind this upcoming League Two encounter.
Gillingham have had a wretched 2022, which has now led to them sitting just three points above the drop zone in England’s fourth tier.
However, this story started back in January, as Steve Evans was sacked following a 4-0 home loss to Ipswich Town, with the club sitting 21st in League One.
Former Millwall and Cardiff City manager Neil Harris took charge in an attempt to guide the Gills to safety, but was unable to prevent relegation to League Two after a nine year stint in the third tier.
After being sacked by Gillingham, Steve Evans was subsequently appointed by Stevenage, who had struggled against relegation the previous season after three years of flirting with the drop zone.
The appointment raised eyebrows, but not even the most optimistic of ‘Boro fan could have anticipated the success that the Scotsman would have in his first three months in charge.
Just two defeats in 17 games across three competitions have seen the Hertfordshire side top of League Two, into the Carabao Cup Third Round and top of their Papa John’s Trophy group. All of which coming with a modest sized squad, things really could not get much better for the club.
Of course, for every peak there is a trough, though Stevenage have seemingly yet to hit it this season. Outside of the losses against Bradford City and Salford City, Evans’ side have conceded just five league goals in the remaining 11 games. Additionally, ‘Boro have upset the odds once more by being the league’s joint highest scorers.
Gillingham, on the contrary, have had a disastrous start to their campaign, with a nine game winless run in League only halted at the turn of the month. The glaring opposition in fortunes is further epitomised by the Kent side being the league’s lowest scorers, with just four league goals to their name, averaging at 0.25 per game.
Whilst Gills fans are still far from pleased with the current state of affairs, one defeat in eight games in all competitions has at least steadied the ship, and perhaps bought Neil Harris some time to turn the club’s fortunes around.
Five changes from the side that drew with Crewe were made for the Papa John’s Trophy clash with Colchester United in midweek, with the Gills winning on penalties after a 1-1 draw.
Gillingham are likely to be without Stuart O’Keefe, Ben Reeves, Olly Lee and David Tutonda, whilst Portsmouth loanee Haji Mnoga is available for selection.
Meanwhile, Stevenage will only be without Elliot List and boast a largely healthy squad barring any late changes as they head into this game riding a five game winning streak.
This will be the first meeting of the two sides since a 2015 FA Cup 1st Round clash, with ‘Boro running out 3-0 winners.
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