Share with us your initial verdict?
“It’s all to play for.
“I think both teams will be happy with the result and I’m sure their manager will say the same as me in claiming they can play better.
“But the wind spoilt the game.
“We’d have loved to go there with a lead but it’s worth remembering too it’s a third successive round that we’ve gone behind and at 90 minutes been back level at 1-1.
“That shows we have character.”
To what extend is a game-plan affected when you go out onto the field and it’s that windy?
“Well, we’re usually better when the wind is blowing against us because we like to get the ball down and play.
“But we weren’t at our best in the first-half and nerves are part of the reason for that.
“It affected everybody, and I can go through half-a-dozen of my lads that can do more.”
Tell us about the equaliser
“Ryan Winder has been poorly this week and we almost didn’t pick him.
“He has no voice and can’t speak and he wasn’t at his best.
“However he has a pass like that in his locker – it was like a sand wedge – and it’s a great finish by Harvey [Whyte].”
And it was a big moment for him personally after the chance that went begging before that
“He showed great character.
“Don’t forget he’s a young guy – he’s only ** - and to have missed a chance like that might have weighed on his mind.
“To then stick the next shot away like he did was fantastic.”
Because the conditions were so influential, can you make a judgement on Chertsey?
“They’re a good side, and they confirmed it.
“Their four attacking players showed good movement and they didn’t give us a moment’s peace.
“They have two wide players who switch sides and their number nine does really well for his size.
“We’re disappointed with the clearance that gave the ball back to them for the goal, but with the wind in your face then the ball doesn’t travel as far.”
If you haven’t been at your best but are still on level terms then that’s a positive right?
“It is, yes.
“There is more pressure on them now because they’ll be expected to win at their place where they haven’t lost all season.
“But we’re both one win from Wembley – it’s that close.
“We’ve probably been better away from home more recently and we’ll take a few supporters down with us and that will create a good atmosphere.”
Brian Matthews made an impact when he came on. Could that change your thinking for next week?
“It was a massive decision to leave him out; that’s probably the one I’ve slept on most since Tuesday.
“I went with Rob [Doran] because that’s what’s served us so well in the FA Vase previously this season.
“But it did play on my mind.
“Brian did well, and if it had gone to extra time then the outcome may have been a similar one to the Sholing game.
“Four other guys haven’t got changed because I could only select 16.
“I may need them yet for the second leg.”
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