Little looms large for Hungerford's Trophy hopes
... And Diego Maradona may be going at them as well!
HUNGERFORD TOWN will keep a keen eye on Wednesday night’s FA Trophy replay to learn whether they are facing Glen Little or Diego Maradona in the next round!
Ryman League Division One South Corinthian Casuals earned a second chance by holding Premier Division Grays Athletic to a windswept goal-less draw at Grays’ adopted home at Aveley United on Saturday, and they face-off again in Tolworth with a First Round proper place at stake.
Grays’ player-assistant manager has plenty of knock-out experience. The 40-year old Glen Little was a Reading favourite, notably during the 106-point Championship title charge into the Premier League in 2006. He left for Portsmouth following relegation, but returned briefly on loan a year later, since when he has played or coached at non-league clubs including Wealdstone, Heybridge Swifts, Welling Unuted and Grays, where he has appeared mostly from off the bench this term.
Little has already been in touch with Hungerford boss Bobby Wilkinson, who said: “He’s texted me and said ‘We’re in the next round'.”
First through, they must dispose of Casuals, who are far removed from the fantasy ‘amateur’ club of yore, although the link is maintained by connections with Brazil’s SC Cornthians Paulista club, set up by ex-pats and hugely responsible for the rise of football in the country.
The clubs played a special game in Sau Paulo in January 2015, which the twice FIFA World Club champions won 3-0 after the English club had held them goal-less for 78 minutes in front of 30,000 fans.
One Brazilian link is the inclusion in the Casuals squad of winger Diego Maradona. This one is Brazilian and he made his debut in a pre-season friendly and has made nine first team appearances to date.
Hungerford are due to travel to the winners on Saturday, December 12, but they may have to switch the date back or forward if Grays win through. Their landlords are also in the Ryman League’s top flight and entertain Dereham Town on that day.
