FA Cup commentary: Thurrock dream dies without a whimper

Thurrock 0 - Oldham Athletic 1

The romance of the FA Cup was not much in evidence here at Ship Lane. Mark Lawrenson, on the BBC panel as the corporation televised the game, called it "the quietest Cup game I've ever been to", and the volume was scarcely raised by the home supporters when Oldham took the lead against their team. The hum of the M25, in view from the tiny stadium's seats, was easily heard as soon as the shouting, such as it was, subsided even a fraction.

The romance of the FA Cup was not much in evidence here at Ship Lane. Mark Lawrenson, on the BBC panel as the corporation televised the game, called it "the quietest Cup game I've ever been to", and the volume was scarcely raised by the home supporters when Oldham took the lead against their team. The hum of the M25, in view from the tiny stadium's seats, was easily heard as soon as the shouting, such as it was, subsided even a fraction.

Thurrock's task was tofollow the five non-league sides who had beaten Football League opposition on Saturday and the ingredients were all there for a shock. A victory for the Nationwide Conference South team might even have caused a murmur among those in the nearby Lakeside shopping centre, for which the area is more well-known. It was certainly all that Brian Talbot admitted he knew about the place when his Oldham side were paired up for this first round tie.

That Colin McBride's men did not push Oldham harder was something of a surprise. They had won their last three games, all of a varying Cup nature while the Latics had only won one of their last 10 games in League One, where they lie 21st.

But Talbot has a celebrated affiliation with the old competition, admittedly as a player and not a manager. In 1978 he won it with Ipswich Town and a year later with Arsenal, creating history as the first player to win the Cup in consecutive seasons with different clubs.

His Ipswich team beat the Gunners in their final so he knows a thing or two about giant-killing and it is to his credit he organised his players, who were clearly short on confidence coming into the game, in such a way as to snuff out Thurrock's threat.

Talbot said: "You're on a hiding to nothing here. It also seemed quiet which made it more comfortable for us. It was not a great spectacle either. As for the Cup in general, it's still great but I think it gets devalued if teams don't put out full-strength sides."

The dangers posed by the home side should have come from their quick and strong front pair of Tresor Kandol, who scored 27 league goals last year and is again the top scorer in this campaign, and Cliff Akurang, once of Chelsea's youth. Kandol is also a relative of Portsmouth's Congo international Tresor LuaLua, but whether he shares an ability to somersault after scoring, he was never allowed to demonstrate. Alongside him Akurang proved inaccurate when presented with the goal.

Oldham's winner came from the penalty spot, just three minutes after the interval. Steven Heffer was adjudged to have fouled Lee Croft and Chris Killen, a New Zealander, tucked the spot-kick away. That was fortunate, according to Talbot, who admitted his relief at getting the job done.

McBride was unhappy with his players' response but he also vented his anger at the way he and his club had been presented. He called the television coverage leading up to the match "condescending", and added: "They [TV] take cheap shots and its nothing to do with football. I got a caustic burn from an injury at work and then got called dishevelled." So, no Cup upset, just an upset Cup manager.

Thurrock's weakness in front of goal showed itself with 20 minutes left. Belatedly trying to force the issue, the club's 39-year-old captain and centre-half Jimmy McFarlane flicked on a long throw-in. Akurang was only three yards out but he slashed wildly at his shot and the ball went harmlessly wide.

By that stage, the visitors were cruising. Oldham fans are used to slightly better, however. In 1990 they forced Manchester United to a replay in the semi-finals, which they lost as United went on to lift the Cup. It is widely acknowledged that if United had not won it that year, Alex Ferguson would have been sacked. The Latics were that close to changing the course of football history. For now, the second round will have to suffice.

¿ Swansea booked their place in the second round with a convincing win over Cheltenham. The Swans led after 18 minutes through Kristian O'Leary's powerful drive, and scored again 30 seconds after the restart when Lee Trundle headed in. Damian Spencer pulled one back after 70 minutes before Paul Connorsteered a shot beyond Shane Higgs to finish it.

Goal: Killen (48, pen) 0-1

Thurrock: 4-4-2: McMahon; Goddard, Purdie (Buffong, 65), McFarlane, Collis; Goodfellow, Heffer (K Lee, 68), Hodges; Kandol, Akurang. Substitutes not used: Sealey (gk), Martin, Lawrence.

Oldham Athletic: 4-4-2: Pogliacomi; Holden, Hall, Beharall, Griffin; Croft, Appleby (Boshell, 28), D Lee, Eyres; Killen, Vernon. Substitutes not used: Bossu (gk), Barlow, Hall, Tierney.

Referee: K Friend (Leics).

Bookings: Thurrock: Hodges, Heffer, Akurang; Oldham: Boshell, Croft.

Attendance: 1,156.

Man of the Match: Croft.

FA Cup second-round draw

Northampton v Bury

Halifax v Chester City

Stockport County v Swansea City

Blackpool v Port Vale

Rushden & Diamonds v Mansfield Town or Colchester

Forest Green or Bournemouth v Bristol Rovers or Carlisle United

Hinckley United v Bristol City or Brentford

Cambridge City v Milton Keynes

Swindon Town v Notts County

Hull City v Alfreton or Macclesfield

Wycombe Wanderers v Luton Town

Slough Town v Yeading

Scunthorpe United v Wrexham

Histon v Darlington or Yeovil

Stevenage Borough v Rochdale

Hartlepool v Aldershot Town

Oldham Athletic v Leyton Orient

Hereford v Boston United

Peterborough v Bath City

Exeter City v Doncaster Rovers

Ties to be played 4 or 5 December