Post by meddles on Nov 5, 2009 8:33:47 GMT
www.suttonguardian.co.uk/sport/4719007.Lucky_charm_Goodliffe_up_for_Sutton_cup_shock/
From the Sutton Guardian
Lucky charm Goodliffe up for Sutton cup shock
8:00am Thursday 5th November 2009
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By Stuart Amos »
Sutton United skipper Jason Goodliffe is hoping he can be his side’s lucky charm as the club go in search of FA Cup glory on Saturday.
The former AFC Wimbledon centre back, signed in the summer from the Blue Square South champions, is expected to be fit to lead the Gander Green Lane outfit out at Hereford United in the first round proper.
The 35-year-old required seven stitches in his mouth after a training ground clash with midfielder Alan Pouton saw him sit out the weekend’s 0-0 draw with Waltham Abbey, having just shaken off the effects of hamstring injury.
Goodliffe has never lost at Edgar Street as a visiting player and is out to better his FA Cup experience of last year when he was in the Dons squad that crashed out at home to Wycombe Wanderers.
“It is a great opportunity for the younger players here to play against higher level opposition. There is no reason why we can’t have good day and they have an off one. There is no pressure on us,” he said.
“I’ve played at Edgar Street on numerous occasions and can’t remember ever losing there. I even won a Blue Square Premier play-off semi-final tie there when I was at Stevenage Borough.
“It is an achievement in itself to get to the first round. We’ve got players in the team who have played at that level and it is up to everyone to perform if we are to get into the next round.
“It is important we don’t freeze, go out and enjoy ourselves and give it good go. Hopefully, I can keep my run going.”
Manager Paul Doswell expects to have a full squad at his disposal when Sutton make the trip to the Bulls on Friday as the former Eastleigh chief bids to go one better than last season’s run to the first round, when United lost at home to Notts County.
The boss goes under the knife on Monday to cure a prolapsed disc in his back and he reckons a place in the second round draw would be a good way to numb the pain.
“I genuinely think we have a chance. We are not going there to defend. They like to get the ball down and play, and I think we have the players to match them, but we are going to have to be at our very best,” he added.
“It wouldn’t shock me if we won. It is our cup final and that is the way we are approaching it.
“If we can take the sting out of the game in the first half an hour then we give ourselves a chance. Their fans are talking about a five or six goal win, but if we can hold them anything can happen.”
And he spared a thought for fellow Ryman League Premier Division hopefuls Tooting & Mitcham, who travel Stockport County on their own Road to Wembley.
“It shows what a good league the Ryman League Premier Division is to have three teams in there,” he said.
“Billy Smith has done a terrific job at Tooting and we can only wish them all the best. They deserve it.”
Sutton’s next three games: Nov 7 Hereford United (FAC, h), 10 Horsham (ILC, a), 14 Ashford Town (Mddx) (h).
From the Sutton Guardian
Lucky charm Goodliffe up for Sutton cup shock
8:00am Thursday 5th November 2009
Comments (0) Have your say »
By Stuart Amos »
Sutton United skipper Jason Goodliffe is hoping he can be his side’s lucky charm as the club go in search of FA Cup glory on Saturday.
The former AFC Wimbledon centre back, signed in the summer from the Blue Square South champions, is expected to be fit to lead the Gander Green Lane outfit out at Hereford United in the first round proper.
The 35-year-old required seven stitches in his mouth after a training ground clash with midfielder Alan Pouton saw him sit out the weekend’s 0-0 draw with Waltham Abbey, having just shaken off the effects of hamstring injury.
Goodliffe has never lost at Edgar Street as a visiting player and is out to better his FA Cup experience of last year when he was in the Dons squad that crashed out at home to Wycombe Wanderers.
“It is a great opportunity for the younger players here to play against higher level opposition. There is no reason why we can’t have good day and they have an off one. There is no pressure on us,” he said.
“I’ve played at Edgar Street on numerous occasions and can’t remember ever losing there. I even won a Blue Square Premier play-off semi-final tie there when I was at Stevenage Borough.
“It is an achievement in itself to get to the first round. We’ve got players in the team who have played at that level and it is up to everyone to perform if we are to get into the next round.
“It is important we don’t freeze, go out and enjoy ourselves and give it good go. Hopefully, I can keep my run going.”
Manager Paul Doswell expects to have a full squad at his disposal when Sutton make the trip to the Bulls on Friday as the former Eastleigh chief bids to go one better than last season’s run to the first round, when United lost at home to Notts County.
The boss goes under the knife on Monday to cure a prolapsed disc in his back and he reckons a place in the second round draw would be a good way to numb the pain.
“I genuinely think we have a chance. We are not going there to defend. They like to get the ball down and play, and I think we have the players to match them, but we are going to have to be at our very best,” he added.
“It wouldn’t shock me if we won. It is our cup final and that is the way we are approaching it.
“If we can take the sting out of the game in the first half an hour then we give ourselves a chance. Their fans are talking about a five or six goal win, but if we can hold them anything can happen.”
And he spared a thought for fellow Ryman League Premier Division hopefuls Tooting & Mitcham, who travel Stockport County on their own Road to Wembley.
“It shows what a good league the Ryman League Premier Division is to have three teams in there,” he said.
“Billy Smith has done a terrific job at Tooting and we can only wish them all the best. They deserve it.”
Sutton’s next three games: Nov 7 Hereford United (FAC, h), 10 Horsham (ILC, a), 14 Ashford Town (Mddx) (h).
