Last week was another busy period which had highs and lows – one on a personal level which involved a very sore head.

After writing previously about our below-standard performance against Northwich Victoria it has to be said we served up what can only be described as a shocker for at least 70 minutes against Gresley last Tuesday.

It's hard to pinpoint a reason as to why we don't perform sometimes. As a team you can usually get away with one or two players not quite being at the races, but when eight or nine put in performances like we did then as a team we have no chance.

I think The Walks can have either one of two effects on the visiting players. When the crowd gets going it can be very intimidating, but on the other hand some players relish playing here. Once they see the ground they raise their game and I think, to their credit, Gresley did the latter. They were on top from the first whistle.

My game was cut short after 25 minutes. There is no doubt in my mind that their player did me off the ball with an elbow and I'm positive the ref saw it, but decided not to act for some reason. I tried to carry on but my vision got worse with the swelling, which forced me to be subbed. I'd like to blame the eye for my performance for 20 minutes, but I can't.

Having been 2-0 down the lads showed great character again. Goals from Dunks (Dunkley) and Beauy (Beaumont) helped us nick a draw, which I've been told flattered us, but we will take it.

I relied on the lads and gaffer (Gary Setchell) to fill me in on the remainder of the game as our physio Phil (Ward) thought it would be best that I went to the hospital to get my eye looked at. I just want to thank one of the steward's dads who was kind enough to give me a lift – I owe him a pint.

After the game Danny Gay had a little moan at the fact I commented on him not having much to do in a previous article so I should mention that he apparently kept us in the game with some great saves. There you go Daniel, I hope you're happy now – ha!

On Thursday we had a light training session and met new loan signing Sam Mulready. From the glimpses we've seen he looks like he can offer the team something a bit different, namely playing off the shoulder.

Saturday saw a break from what has been a hectic few weeks in the league when we hosted Carshalton. It also saw the boys dressed in pink for cancer charity which is such a great cause. I think pink suits some of the lads a bit more than others. I am in the others category I should imagine.

Given the opposition were from a higher level I think the expectation was lowered results wise, but the lads certainly got back on track with our performance. We started the game extremely well only to find ourselves a goal behind, disappointingly, from a corner.

However, we were soon level from our goal machine (Steve) Spriggs, I can't keep praising the boy so I won't. And he put us 2-1 up from the spot after a typical Jordy (Yong) run which also resulted in them being reduced to 10 men.

We then really dominated and there were further goals from Spriggsy, Dunks, Beauy and a great finish from Turns (Turner). I don't think the scoreline flattered us either. I expect the result turned a few heads and it has given us the chance to test ourselves against even higher opposition in the next round – Eastbourne. This is exactly what the cup's all about and with the home draw anything is possible.

Hopefully by the time you've read this we've won at Loughborough to pick up three points, especially with other important games being played in and around us on Tuesday.

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