ALLISON’S WORK STARTS HERE
SHARP shooter Scott Allison has worked his way up through local football – a far cry from life in the professional game.
But on Saturday, the Workington goal ace will get a shot at one of the National League’s big boys when former Football League side Hartlepool United come to town in the FA Trophy.
Allison, 27, has been with the Reds for five years, signing from Northern League Division One side Penrith after playing for his school team in Cumbria and then moving into men’s football.
Saturday’s first round proper tie will be a true test of his calibre.
“Apart from against Carlisle in a pre-season friendly, I’ve never had the chance to play against a big team like Hartlepool,” the highly-rated Allison told The NLP.
“When I saw the draw it was really exciting. It’s great to get a big match like this, you couldn’t get many bigger teams.
“We know all about them, they’re struggling a bit really and over the last few years. Still, they’ll bring a lot of fans and it’ll be a big day for us.”
Workington could hardly be in better form, unbeaten in 12 matches and only having lost once in 17, in all competitions – a run which places them sixth in the EVO-STIK Premier ahead of yesterday’s visit of Mickleover Sports.
Allison isn’t in bad form either. He’s already netted 14 times this season – one less than he finished with in the last campaign.
“I was a bit disappointed last season with how many goals I scored,” he added.
“I knew I had to work on that. When we were struggling at the start of the season, the goals weren’t coming.”
Workington reached the FA Trophy quarterfinals in 2010 but have been starved of cup success since, prioritising a return to the National League North following relegation six years ago.
Allison, though, believes David Hewson’s men are ready to embark on another cup run.
“We’re flying now. Confidence is high and we’ve got a settled side,” he added.
“We are certainly not going to turn up and expect to be beaten. They’ll have a bit more quality but I think the pitch might be a leveller – they won’t be used to playing on one like ours.
“We play really well at home. If we can weather the early storm, it’ll be anyone’s game. Who knows?”