IF THERE were any lingering doubts that the FA Cup still maintained the same magic it always has for Non-League sides at least, they were well and truly removed at Halesowen Town on Thursday night.
It was five days on from their 7-1 win at Step 6 Ellistown & Ibstock and the famous trophy was making its latest stop at The Grove.
He may now be 37 and entering the twilight of his 22-year career, but striker Iyseden Christie still had a grin as wide as a Cheshire Cat's.
Even the most grizzled of veterans still live for their spot in the limelight and after his six-goal haul last Saturday, it's fair to say the man who started out as a trainee at Coventry City in the 1990s fully deserves it.
Spotlight
“You just never hear about anybody scoring six goals do you?” laughed Christie, who also owns the fastest ever League Cup hat-trick against Stockport County while at Mansfield.
“I've scored four before for Mansfield but to get six is just surreal. I had three by half-time and I let the gaffer know that he wasn't allowed to bring me off as I had six in my mind!
“The first four were all headers but my favourite was the fifth because it was a tap in, and they're the ones Ben Haseley normally scores.
“The lads have been trying to tell me that goals against teams at Ellistown's level don't count but it's in the FA Cup –of course they do!
“I've played and scored against Everton for Tamworth and Portsmouth when I was with Leyton Orient and they were both in the third round.
“It's every Non-League team's goal to get to the first round and it can be massive for clubs like us. The spotlight has been on us after our win and it shows the FA Cup is still huge.”
The Yeltz have a tough trip to Conference North side Guiseley in the third round qualifying to look forward to this coming Saturday.
But for now it's time for reflection and Christie is just glad he managed to seal a match ball to remember his six-goal haul.
“I only got the one ball and even then I had to go and ask the Ellistown club president for it!” adds Christie.
“I'm thankful to him because I wouldn't have got it otherwise. I might have let it go if it was just a hat-trick as they're quite expensive balls.
“But to get six and not get a match ball afterwards? I would have been devastated! Luckily I got a ball and got it signed by all the boys and it's something I will keep and cherish.
“I've got three from my time at Mansfield that my young ones have decided to kick around the street so I'll be keeping this one nice and safe!”
