After 2 years, this was it, our first game and the maybe finally the realisation that we are playing competitive football. Theres always something special about the cup, the road to wembley, david v goliath, muddy pitches, Ronnie Radford, up at 8 to watch the final build up all day - ahh the memories.

Anyway back to OUR cup and it was evident from the boys that they were aware this was a big game, perhaps the promise at training that the final was at wembley may have inspired them. Their attitude from the outset was of the highest quality. The ground wasn't going to let us down either as the boggy transport ground pitch was reminiscent of a 70s non-league giant killing pitch.

Blunden & Richards (or Richards & Blunden if you prefer) had talked long and hard about the squads and maybe mixing things up a little. There was perhaps a feeling that despite 4 wins out of 4 in the league, the balance wasn't quite right and changes had been agreed - Pope in the net, Brown at the back, Hawes in centre mid, Nutt on the right, Stanners on the left with Mushet and Hollis-Smith up front. Padfield and Fisher were subs.

Tension was in the air, despite knowing full well that alot of other teams would be pleased to avoid Greenhill in the draw, the balls (or whatever they use for the draw, probably bits of scrap paper with names scribbled on) could have been kinder to us aswell. Redfearns arrived joint top of B division with a 100% record and with them having recently defeated a strong SWYO side left no illusions that this was a tough draw. They were confident, warmed up with a swagger, nothing to lose and had promised us a good game.

What hit them was a harsh introduction to A division life as Greenhill dominated from the start. Early worries from the management as numerous chances came and were missed were swept to one side as the inevitable happened with a crisp Mushet strike. He followed it up with another before half time for a 2-0 lead and Greenhill looked comfortable.

The half time message was simple - keep the commitment going and the result would take care of itself - and it did. Hollis-Smith was having a stormer - one of our most naturally gifted players with quick feet that Michael Flatley would be proud of and the work rate of 2 players at times and quality in abundance - two superb finishes followed from the lad and it ended 4-0.

Make no mistake, Redfearns are a good, well organised side and this result was probably more than most people expected but well deserved and in truth it could, and maybe should, have been more. The quality of football and work rate was exceptional.

Tom Hollis-Smith was named MOTM but every player was excellent and should be proud of themselves. The road to Wembley is a long and treacherous one but this first 'half' had put down a strong message thats it a road our boys will battle all the way to reach.