FA Cup fever normally grips the nation around this time of year as fans up and down the country watch the early rounds with interest. Non league minnows scrap out results on muddy pitches in front of a full house. Everyone in the village has turned out to see the builder, baker, window cleaner and taxi driver try to upset a nervous looking league team. At times, you get a game where the non leaguers scrap their way through the game and are denied a victory by a late goal….

The Shoemakers' game v Oldham had a lot of similar characteristics to the above. Ok, there wasn't a full house and no professional players were involved. But an under strength Oldham side arrived at the Racecourses muddy pitch with a bare ten in attendance. Only a couple had travelled from Oldham, some from the midlands and some from London. A patched up eleven was complete with Tom from Northampton, who normally helps the Shoemakers by running the line.

The home side, who were at full strength appeared to feel that they were going to win at a canter and started a little too confidently, which led to a lot of early mistakes. Sean Bellham opened the scoring after robbing a defender and lobbing the ball over the advancing keeper. This goal gave the Shoemakers some rhythm and if it wasn't for the Oldham keeper, more goals would have followed. He denied Nick Randall with a good save from a tight angle before pulling off one of the best saves ever witnessed in fans team football. Ian Errington beat his man on the edge of the area before curling a shot that was destined for the top corner. The keeper amazingly tipped the ball around the post with many in claret already celebrating. He was then called into action again with a good save from Mark Kennedy's shot, then Richard Fletcher fired just wide of the far post.

Despite all the pressure, the visitors scored twice in three minutes to take the lead. The first goal came from a corner after a great breakaway attack, Ian McAlister bundled the ball home from a corner. Shortly after, the loan player Tom drilled home a low shot from 20 yards and celebrated in front his Northampton mates.

Oldham then dug in and defended in a gutsy style that any FA Cup heroic giantkiller would have been proud of. Despite tiring legs in a fast paced game, they held on and looked to be claiming a well earned victory until they were denied in the final minute. Richard Fletcher was pushed in the penalty area and Sean Bellham made no mistake from the spot to make it 2-2.

Another enjoyable game drew to a close with compliments all round at the final whistle. It may have been scrappy in places but those in attendance thoroughly enjoyed the 90 minutes. Oldham's spirited performance certainly made it.