Allinson pleased with cup progress after shoot-out win
Lee Allinson was delighted with his Hemel Hempstead Town players after they progressed in the FA Trophy last weekend.
The Tudors beat Chelmsford City 6-5 on penalties after a 0-0 draw, Michael Johnson making three saves in the shoot-out to help his side progress.
And boss Allinson told the club’s media that whilst it wasn’t a game with much quality, he was delighted to have got through.
He said: “We were happy with the changes we made and there was a lot of grit and determination from both sides. I just felt the game lacked massive quality and I thought it was one where nobody wanted to put their foot on it and make things happen.
"There was a lack of chances – we hit the post in the first-half, they did in the second but MJ hasn’t had loads to do and nor has their goalkeeper as the two teams cancelled each other out.
"We made a few changes and it’s really positive to get a minutes into those players and we found a way in the end.
"The one pleasing thing is that we conceded four goals last week but kept a clean sheet on Tuesday and another one today so that’s a massive bonus and something we can take forward.
“It was probably the worst penalty shoot-out of all time – our penalty takers after the first five were better than the ones in the first give but full credit to both sets of teams, you have to step up and have to have some balls to step up and take it and I’ll never dig anyone out for missing a penalty because I’ve been there many times myself where I’ve had to take one and it’s pressure because you want to win the game.”
Hemel will now face Horsham in the next round on Saturday, December 13, who are ironically will be the Tudors’ next league opponents too as they arrive this weekend in the National League South.
Hemel are sixth in the table and Horsham fifth but Allinson’s men have three games in hand and could go as high as third with a win.