NON-LEAGUE HAVANT AND WATERLOOVILLE COULD PLAY LIVERPOOL IN FOURTH ROUND
Havant and Waterlooville's 35-year-old trainee taxi driver, Rocky Baptiste, netted a late equaliser in his club's Third Round FA Cup match against Swansea City. And now the only remaining non-league side have been handed a great incentive to go one better when they host the League One table-toppers at West Leigh Park: if they win they could face seven-time winners Liverpool.
Havant's manager is delighted at the prospect, especially as Baptiste is a Reds fan. But he knows that his team will have to pull out all the stops to thwart Swansea's progress.
Having impressed at the lavish Liberty Stadium on Saturday, Gale hopes that his side can make the most of their home advantage in the replay on January 16.
He said: "The boys were fantastic - they gave me everything. We went there with a game plan and made it as awkward for Swansea as we possibly could.
"Going behind at the time we did, we could have folded and been beaten. But they kept going, and that is what they have been doing all season for me.
"No disrespect to our little ground, but Swansea have got a fantastic stadium and they won't enjoy coming to Havant and Waterlooville. The atmosphere will be intimidating; it'll be packed to the rafters. And we have got to make it awkward for them on the field.
"They are a good side but we must just be stopping them playing."
Gale refused to get carried away with the possibility of a plum tie against Rafael Benitez's side - who must beat Luton at Anfield to progress - preferring to focus on his side's replay.
He continued: "It would be a huge game for us if we got through to play Liverpool. There are a number of lads here who support them.
"I know for certain that Rocky is a big Liverpool fan. So he would really want to play there, especially as it is coming to the end of his career - he has only a few years left.
"We have got a really tough game at home against Swansea City first that we must win though.
"It has been fantastic - so far it has been a fairytale. You read about it; you see it every season. One non-league club normally does well and this year it is us and it's great."
Havant and Waterlooville's 35-year-old trainee taxi driver, Rocky Baptiste, netted a late equaliser in his club's Third Round FA Cup match against Swansea City. And now the only remaining non-league side have been handed a great incentive to go one better when they host the League One table-toppers at West Leigh Park: if they win they could face seven-time winners Liverpool.
Havant's manager is delighted at the prospect, especially as Baptiste is a Reds fan. But he knows that his team will have to pull out all the stops to thwart Swansea's progress.
Having impressed at the lavish Liberty Stadium on Saturday, Gale hopes that his side can make the most of their home advantage in the replay on January 16.
He said: "The boys were fantastic - they gave me everything. We went there with a game plan and made it as awkward for Swansea as we possibly could.
"Going behind at the time we did, we could have folded and been beaten. But they kept going, and that is what they have been doing all season for me.
"No disrespect to our little ground, but Swansea have got a fantastic stadium and they won't enjoy coming to Havant and Waterlooville. The atmosphere will be intimidating; it'll be packed to the rafters. And we have got to make it awkward for them on the field.
"They are a good side but we must just be stopping them playing."
Gale refused to get carried away with the possibility of a plum tie against Rafael Benitez's side - who must beat Luton at Anfield to progress - preferring to focus on his side's replay.
He continued: "It would be a huge game for us if we got through to play Liverpool. There are a number of lads here who support them.
"I know for certain that Rocky is a big Liverpool fan. So he would really want to play there, especially as it is coming to the end of his career - he has only a few years left.
"We have got a really tough game at home against Swansea City first that we must win though.
"It has been fantastic - so far it has been a fairytale. You read about it; you see it every season. One non-league club normally does well and this year it is us and it's great."
