FA TROPHY SECOND ROUND REPLAY
Forest Green Rovers 0-0 Chorley
Chorley win 3-1 on penalties
GARRY FLITCROFT says Chorley’s desire was the big factor in dumping Forest Green Rovers out of the FA Trophy.
Keeper Sam Ashton was the hero for the Magpies last night by saving three penalties in the shoot-out after 210 minutes of goalless stalemate over the two games.
And boss Flitcroft felt his part-time side were more than worthy winners against a Rovers team tipped by some to go well in this season’s competition.
Flitcroft told The NLP: “The lads worked so hard. You’re always going to worry about fitness levels playing against a full-time team who train day in, day out.
“But our energy levels, even going into extra-time, were brilliant and it was them out on their feet really.
“Going into penalties you do worry about tiredness but we took some good ones and it was a great result.
“We were unlucky on Saturday at home. There was a stonewall penalty at the end we should have been given and we had chances.
“I said after Saturday the tie was nowhere near over because I knew we had a chance going down there.
“We probably had the two best chances of the first half when James Dean had two great shots saved by Sam Russell. We kept organised and at the end of the day we wanted it more than them.
“We had a few beers and a sing-song on the way home. In fairness the lads were pretty tired on the way back but they were in good spirits.
“I’ve had some good dressing rooms in my time at the club but this is the best it’s ever been. All you want to do is watch them enjoy their football.
“It’s part-time at the end of the day and they give me everything they’ve got.”
The Evo-Stik NPL high-fliers will now travel to Tamworth in the next round.
And with the confidence of one Skrill Premier scalp, Flitcroft thinks they can do it again.
“We’ll obviously have them watched but it’s another winnable game for us,” he said.
“They are all tough games, but with the confidence and form we’re in at the minute it is winnable. We’ll take a large following as well so it will be a good day out.”
Don’t miss Sunday’s Non-League Paper for reaction with Chorley hero Sam Ashton.
