Blakemore goes back to basics

Shropshire's Charlie Blakemore returned to his county footballing roots last night - 24 hours after masterminding another slice of FA Cup history.Blakemore was yesterday still basking in the afterglow of his Chasetown side overcoming a five-division gap to hold League One Port Vale to a stunning 1-1 draw at Vale Park in the second round of the FA Cup on Sunday.

But he was back on the training field at RAF Cosford last night for his other managerial 'job' - as boss of Albrighton Juniors under 10s in the Shropshire Girls League, for whom his daughter Emily plays.

It's not been all good news for Chasetown's county connection - Telford-based goalkeeping coach Steve Maiden will miss next week's replay as he will be in Sri Lanka to watch England's second Test Match.

"We booked it back in September and you can't even start to think that you will still be involved in the FA Cup at this stage of the season," added cricket fan Maiden.

"It's really disappointing to be missing the replay, but I will remain in touch with how it's going."

Meanwhile, Blakemore's BGB Midland division side are as short as 2-1 with bet365 to beat Vale in their replay and earn a crack at Coca-Cola Championship club Cardiff City in the third round.

And bet365 spokesman Steve Freeth said: "Having witnessed the draw at Vale Park, Charlie Blakemore's boys have nothing to fear from a demoralised Port Vale side that currently sit bottom of League One and are sadly lacking in confidence."