'The gap isn't really so big'

Tuesday 8th November 2005

Think Forest's draw with Weymouth was an upset? Then just wait until you see the replay, one of the Terras' biggest fans tells PAUL TAYLOR

When his inflatable octopus floated away down the Trent before kick-off, Mark Probin may have thought he was in for a bad afternoon.

His Weymouth side were taking on Forest at the City Ground, and some thought eight tentacles might not be enough to tally the score.

But the Terras fan was more optimistic. And after seeing his Conference South side give Gary Megson's Reds an almighty scare in the 1-1 draw, Probin, 32, is even more confident his side can force their way into the second round at Monday's replay.

"It was something we had been looking forward to for 20 years," said Probin, who edits the official Weymouth website.

"I have been watching the team since 1986 and the last time they were in the first round of the FA Cup was in 1985. I just missed out.

"We were determined to have a good time, so I put on the website that we should all take inflatables to the game and there did seem to be loads of them kicking around.

"Our octopus got blown off down the river, never to be seen again, but we still had a fantastic day.

"There were almost 2,000 of us there. We'd have had a good time no matter what. But in all honesty, we should have won.

"Forest seemed to underestimate us a little bit, which almost cost them dearly."

The replay will be live on TV, but Probin says it does not generate the same excitement.

Despite that, he believes Weymouth have an even better chance of fighting their way into the second round at the Wessex Stadium.

"The pitch is good, which might give Forest a chance to play a bit of football - it is not one of those tight, compact non-league grounds.

"But there will be a big crowd there of 6,000 or so, which would be well in excess of the current record at the stadium, which is just under 5,000.

"The fact is, we are a full-time team. We have good players.

"There have been some famous Cup upsets over the years, but that was when part-time teams were playing.

"I don't think the gap between Weymouth and Forest would be that big now. They are still the favourites, probably. To say otherwise would only be mind games. But we have a good chance. You saw what our fans were like on Saturday - it will be exactly the same but with more of us.

"We have nothing to lose. No matter what the result is, we will have a good time."

And Probin has his eye on another trip.

"Drawing Chester away in the second round was a little disappointing," he said. "If we can beat Forest, you'd have hoped for a more exciting tie than that.

"But, if we can play to the same level as we did at the City Ground, who knows?