For February 3rd I'm going back 20 years to 2001 and an FA Trophy 4th Round tie between Matlock Town and Forest Green Rovers.
Matlock's home, Causeway Lane (currently known by it's sponsor name: the less than romantic sounding Proctor Cars Stadium), is a little gem of a ground situated in the beautiful Peak District and well worth a visit. Opponents Forest Green are one of those teams whose name gives no clue as to their whereabouts - indeed I have heard tell of one or two misguided away supporters who travelled to a place called Forest Green near Dorking in Surrey. This particular Forest Green are from Nailsworth in Gloucestershire (near Stroud if you still have no clue) and were affectionately known as "the little club at the top of the hill" when in Non League circles - it is one heck of a hill by the way! Forest Green have subsequently graduated into the Football League and are no longer a "little club" - indeed they are talking about building a brand new stadium next to the M5 in the coming years so they soon won't be on a hill anymore either.
The game finished 2-2 in front of 802 with Matlock (Northern Premier League Division 1) clawing back a 2 goal deficit to earn a replay in Gloucestershire (which favourites Forest Green of the Conference ultimately won 3-1 en route to the Final where they lost to the eventual winners Canvey Island at Villa Park).
CRB Match No. 1211
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