Every BBC-televised FA Cup clash prior to the Third Round phase invariably elavates supporters to a praise-worthy pedestal for their immense dedication to their clubs whom it is often implied would not exist without it. The organisation strives to give them the publicity they deserve, conveying their regard for non league and those that devote their lives or at least a significant proportion to it.
Yet beyond that disingenuous facade lies the disillusioning truth that they will happily shaft these kind of people for their own minimal gain, as our fanbase will quite literally have to pay the price of. The midweek replay at Gillingham being needlessly scheduled in a bizarre Thursday evening slot has come at the expense of our longest trip of the season two days later, for which supporters have now lost considerable amounts amid the notoriously most expensive period of the year prior to Christmas. It's a disgraceful decision of logic-defying stupidity, motivated by sheer self-interest, that has a disastrous impact upon loyal supporters willing to navigate extreme lengths to follow their clubs, only to be treated with utter contempt as a result. After all, the appeal around lower league football hinges upon feeling valued in a refreshing contrast from the elite echelons where broadcasting considerations supersede those of fans.The worst thing is: it's been scheduled as such to have an exclusive spot without clashing with the World Cup on Tuesday but, without being self-deprecating to either ourselves or Gillingham, that's unlikely to make much difference whatsoever...so it's widespread inconvenience for very little gain from a BBC perspective. Certainly not proportionate to the disruption caused, anyway. Both clubs financially benefit to the tune of 30k, and us doing so from a decision that directly harms its supporters doesn't exactly sit right. However, we contractually have to comply under FA regulations so it's not fair to attribute any blame to Dagenham, who were never going to play two games within 36 hours at a mileage differential of 250 on top. This intensifies our fixture congestion, which is severe even without Oldham and now Gateshead being rearranged on Tuesday nights somewhere along the line. It ultimately means a heavier workload as we chase the play-offs, which is far from ideal for so many reasons.
Winning the replay will certainly soften the above-mentioned inconveniences, though, for we have the rarity of a Premier League opponent as an extremely lucrative incentive, namely the competition's winners the season before last in Leicester City no less. You have to delve back ages for the last time we had a top-flight team visit Victoria Road in a competitive capacity and it may be the same timeframe before we have the opportunity again, so we simply have to take advantage of this. A Premier League tie in round three is the desire of every non-league side - we could make it reality.
Knowing what we could have is a massive motivator but simultaneously could prove enormously painful if we now lose the replay, which doesn't even bear thinking about, especially when we were so close from progressing outright in the initial match. There was a dreaded feeling afterwards that we might have missed our chance, and seeing the reward we would have secured only intensifies the frustration of conceding that late equaliser against the run of play. However, that we were so dominant beforehand is a source of immense optimism - we have every reason to wholeheartedly believe that the quality in our squad can completely overwhelm Gillingham again. They're a poor side under enormous pressure, which we can exploit in the knowledge that a sloppy five minutes from them will surely reignite anger within a fanbase of growing toxicity. While still knowing what's at stake, we aren't risking any damage to reputation whereas Gills' woes would be compounded by losing to a non-league outfit so they have much more to lose. Our inferior status is no reason to harbour fear, though, as we've already seen that they're nothing special - infact arguably worse than most National League opponents we've faced this season. Whenever something promising has appeared in the horizon in recent history, we've had a tendency to scupper it: The FA Trophy capitulation against York, numerous wasted chances to take control of our play-off destiny. I just hope this isn't another, and we can dig deep into our innermost armoury of ferocious mental spirit to rise to the occasion. Whatever happens, let's leave everything on the pitch. Time to believe...COME ON DAGENHAM!
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January 2024
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