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Emirates FA Cup 3rd Qualifying Round Draw - Reaction

Emirates FA Cup 3rd Qualifying Round Draw - Reaction

Ruth Hornby24 Sep 2018 - 17:00
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Club captain Matthew Lawlor and manager Neil Reynolds share their thoughts following today's draw.

It's just shown that all season, we've never really counted ourselves out of a game.
- Matthew Lawlor, Club Captain.

A home tie against National League North outfit Guiseley awaits Bamber Bridge , should Brig win Tuesday night's Emirates FA Cup replay against Cleethorpes Town.

Brig pulled back a 1-3 deficit at Linden Club on Saturday, drawing 3-3 thanks to a Brad Carsley hat-trick.

Our match reporter George Hodgson caught up with club captain Matthew Lawlor and manager Neil Reynolds to get their thoughts on Tuesday's replay and the exciting draw.

Lawlor has been a crucial piece to the puzzle for Brig manager Neil Reynolds this season, and is delighted to still be in the competition given the circumstances last weekend.

"Considering we were 3-1 down and not playing particularly well, to still be in the competition is massive," said Lawlor. "It's just shown that all season, we've never really counted ourselves out of a game.

"It's exciting to still be in the draw and with our replay tomorrow, it's huge for us as a team.

"Reno (Neil Reynolds) said after the game, make sure you check on Monday to see who we are playing because it could be our year to get into the first round proper.

"If we get a big team or even a team from a lower league that we'll fancy our chances against, then it's massive for us on our journey for the motivation more than anything.

"So hopefully we can get into that Third and then Fourth Qualifying Round, and then obviously the First Round Proper."

Cleethorpes are a league below Brig but provided a stern test for Neil Reynolds' men, and Lawlor is expecting the same again when the two lock horns in Tuesday's replay.

"We're expecting the same from them," insisted the Brig captain. "They're quite an attacking team who left four up-front at times, so we need to deal with them a bit better and their dangerous No.9 in Scott Vernon.

"I used to play years ago with him at Blackpool years ago and he's just now as he was then, he's only just dropped out of the Football League.

"They're a big, physical team and if we can disrupt them and we're on our game, we should come away with the result we want.

Brig's home form is what has served them so well over the past year, and the No.4 knows that mentally it could give him and his team-mates the edge this week.

"It's a real confidence boost, it's nearly a year now since we were last beaten at home," he said. "It's a subconscious thing, we don't consciously think about it but it's just the home comfort and our pitch which is amazing thanks to the ground staff.

"It suits the way we like to play and individuals like Jamie Milligan & Ali Waddecar who love to get on the ball, it suits us down to the ground.

"So it is a confidence boost but we know we have to be at our best and get the job done."

Following the lunchtime draw, first team manager Neil Reynolds shared his excitement about the potential tie.

"Firstly we've got a big challenge tomorrow night against Cleethorpes," said Reno. "You can't help but look at the draw though and it is a National League North side who are 11th, so if we get through it's a game you can't help but relish.

"You want to play anyone whose above you in the footballing pyramid and I'm sure it'd generate a lot of interest, so I'm excited by the draw for sure."

Brig's remarkable home record adds even more motivation for both Reno ahead of Tuesday's replay and beyond.

"I said on Saturday to the lads that we're closing in on 12 months since we were beaten at home," he said. "So if we do get through that tricky tie on Tuesday, our next four games are all at home.

"We've got Cleethorpes tomorrow, Stafford, Gainsborough & then obviously the Guiseley game should we make it.

"We can't wait - yes, we have a good home record but again we'll have to be at our best and if we did make it through we would be the underdogs.

"We'll go out and express ourselves and hopefully if we get through tomorrow night then we'll be sure to give a really good account of ourselves against Guiseley."

Bamber Bridge v Cleethorpes Town kicks off at the Sir Tom Finney Stadium at 7:45 pm on Tuesday 25 September, with the winners entertaining Guiseley on Saturday 6 October.

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