Vic Morgan: The Cup Run and Northern Chip Shops

It seemed like an eternity.

The time dragged and the tension became almost unbearable.

Then it happened. Ball number 43 came and we knew we’d be away to Rochdale in the first round of the FA Cup.

Now, you’ll know as a Town supporter, this isn’t a competition which has been kind to Swindon in recent times.

It seems amazing that since that memorable win over Wigan Athletic when they were in the Premier League, we haven’t even scored in the competition. Ironically we play at Wigan on Saturday on a level league footing.

So what are we to make of the draw? Well it is what it is. It’s completely random and you get what comes out. It’s another punishing northern away trip in a season full of them.

It means that place in round two has to be won the hard way. Still, all the more satisfying when it happens. After all, our miserable recent run in the competition can’t go on forever, can it?

The so called romance of the cup has been somewhat lacking since Paul Benson’s deflected winner that January day when Athletic were vanquished and the Town made national headlines. Since then it’s been a double defeat by Macclesfield and the debacle in lilac shirts at Cheltenham.

Strangely, I think we’ll get through this time. The initial reaction is one of disappointment that it’s not a home draw. But it’s a team from our level and with Swindon’s hopefully continuing improvement the hoodoo can be lifted.

At the very least there’s a decent chip shop within walking distance of Spotland. I’m looking forward to it. It’s the FA Cup. One of the highlights of the season.