Not for the first time this season they had to recover from a two goal deficit with a brace of second half strikes and force yet another cup replay to be played at Leamington tomorrow night.
Manager Peter Duffield was in no mood for a repeat performance of Tuesday’s 5-1 thrashing by local rivals Ilkeston FC, and was pleased with his team’s reaction.
“I was annoyed and frustrated after Tuesday’s game,” he said, “because I felt that some of my players let me down and threw in the towel and I don’t expect to see anything like that from a team I manage.”
“But to be fair I did get a positive reaction, firstly at training on Thursday and again on Saturday where I thought to some extent they redeemed themselves with a positive performance against a strong side from a higher division.”
“I was heartbroken to be 2-0 down at half time because we certainly didn’t deserve it, and there was no ranting and raving in the dressing room because we were effectively dominating the game and they had two shots resulting in two goals.
“As I’ve said after every recent cup tie that we’ve got a replay from, it won’t be any easier at Leamington, but we can go there knowing we can match them in most areas and if we play well then we are capable of getting through.”
The Nailers made two signings last weeks in the wake of the heavy FA Cup replay defeat at the hands of Ilkeston FC last Tuesday evening.
And in an intriguing twist to the tale, Andrew Osei-Siribour (pictured), one of the Ilkeston substitutes in that game, was the first to sign for the Nailers, arriving on a short–term loan until 27 October.
He is a promising striker who can also operate in the wide position.
He spent nine years as a youngster with Wycombe Wanderers before doing his apprenticeship with Port Vale.
Having graduated from the Ilkeston FC academy team to earn his first professional contract in 2011-12, he was given another 12-month deal as an opportunity to continue his progress and his short period with the Nailers should hopefully aid his ambitions.
Meanwhile, Belper have also signed midfield player, James Ozmen from close neighbours, Holbrook Sports.
James is an all-energy central midfield player who can be relied upon to score the occasional important goal.
He started his career at Holbrook Sports but also played for Conference North side, Corby Town last season, where he had the honour of scoring the very first goal at their new Steel Park stadium.
James returned to Holbrook in the summer where his recent performances caught the eye of Nailers’ manager, Peter Duffield.
“I want to place on record my thanks to Kevin Wilson (Ilkeston manager) for his help in pushing through Andrew’s (Siribour) loan arrangement,” said Duffield, “we could have had him three weeks ago but when are two clubs were drawn together in the FA Cup we had to wait until everything was settled.
“He’s got lightening pace, something we don’t have in abundance, and he scored a well taken goal to get us back on track on Saturday, “he added.
Belper Town’s league placing has suffered due to all the cup ties they have been involved in during September, but they will resume their league programme next Saturday when they travel to Loughborough where they recently triumphed by the odd goal in seven in the FA Trophy.
“Cup successes tend to have an adverse effect on league placing and we will now have to play catch up and get some points on the board,” said Duffield.
“We have played five games against superior opposition and lost just once so we need to take that confidence and form into our league fixtures even though the preparation for cup ties is totally different than for league games.”
The Nailers’ reserve side had an impressive 6-2 victory away at Dinnington Town reserves last Saturday and cemented their place at the top of the Central Midland League Supreme Reserve Division.
This coming Saturday they are at home to Eastwood Town Reserves.
Meanwhile the first team travel to Loughborough Dynamo on Saturday and then go to Gresley FC on Tuesday evening.
Nigel Oldrini
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