SOUL OF SPORT: The magic of the FA Cup returned with Slough taking on Grimsby in the first round proper. ANDY HOOPER was at Arbour Park to snap the action as the non-League outfit held their opposition to a draw

• Slough secured a new attendance record at Arbour Park, with the game sold out against league opposition
• They earned a draw and thus a replay, with player-manager Scott Davies giving them the lead in the first half
• Danny Rose equalised for Grimsby 15 minutes from time but the home fans continued to show their support

Welcome back to the Soul of Sport. For our latest episode of the series, ANDY HOOPER was at Arbour Park for the first round proper of the FA Cup.

Slough Town hosted Grimsby Town at Arbour Park, with the non-League side hoping to cause a shock against a team 48 places and two divisions above them in the football pyramid. 

The upset was very much on the cards for a large period in the game, with the hosts going ahead through Scott Davies giving Slough – who are at risk of relegation from the National League South, currently 21st in the league table – the lead after just before the half-hour mark.

But Danny Rose spared Grimsby’s blushed, netting an equaliser 15 minutes from time to ensure there would be a replay back at Blundell Park for a spot in the second round.

Our man captured the best moments inside and outside the ground as the magic of the FA Cup returned in Slough on Sunday afternoon.

Could he do it on a dark, cold, windy afternoon in Slough? Grimsby centre back Niall Maher certainly gave it his best

There was euphoria for Slough when 35-year-old Scott Davies, who has played for 20 different sides and is now player-manager of the club, gave them the lead

It was a curling free kick that gave the underdogs a deserved lead – too good for Harvey Cartwright, 14 years Davies’ junior

Supporters weren’t afraid to show their passion, either – even if they were unable to get a ticket for Sunday’s big game

It’s good to see that old fashioned football programmes still have a place in the game – one fan here took in Rebels Review

For others, the reading material of choice was slightly different… on this occasion, Richard Osman’s Thursday Murder Club

When the FA Cup comes to down, the Emirates advertising boards must follow. At full time, they were put away with league action to return – it’s Truro at home on Tuesday

Friends and family were in the ground to watch the Slough players’ big day – here, one partner was thanked for their backing

Supporters were willing to do whatever it took to get a glimpse of the action and provide their support to their team

Members of the next generation kept themselves entertained as they waited for kick off in a very non-league-esque manner

The older generation adopted the perhaps more traditional approach of watching the players warm up in the game’s build-up

A number of grounds, even lower down the pyramid, are card-only these days, so it was nice to see more tradition on show

Paper tickets, too! The match was sold out, with 2,205 fans attending to watch proceedings at Arbour Park – a new club record

Davies’ team-mates – players and coaching staff – ran to mob him after he scored his goal. The jubilation again clear to see

The mascots for the day were shown a few tunes prior to walking out for the the pre-match antics – they left it to the professional for the performance

A positive day for non-League overall, with one of their clubs earning a draw against a league side. The winner of the replay will face Oxford United away from home

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