MOORE: I MUST HAN IT TO YOU
PROUD Hanwell Town co-manager Chris Moore has urged his heartbroken FA Cup heroes to hold their heads up high after their penalty shoot-out agony against Leatherhead.
The Bostik South Central outfit were denied at the death by the Tanners in the first game between the sides and then crashed out 4-2 on penalties after a goalless draw in the replay at the Powerday Stadium.
It prevented the Geordies reaching the fourth qualifying round for the first time in their history, but Moore believes they can take pride in their efforts. They beat two sides from a higher level – Potters Bar Town and Lowestoft Town – in their cup run and banked almost £18,000 in prize money.
Former Dagenham & Redbridge and Brentford striker Moore, who manages the side in partnership with Wayne Carter, said: “I’m not going to stand here and pretend it’s not heartbreaking. We’re gutted, everyone’s gutted – it’s the FA Cup – but the boys shouldn’t underestimate how well they’ve done.
“It’s what I said to them on the pitch at the end of the game after the penalties – ‘Don’t be down, don’t be downbeat because we’ve equalled the club’s record in this competition and we’ve beaten two sides in the league above us. Be proud of yourselves – myself and Carts are proud of what you’ve done’.”
Moore and Carter are in their first season at the Hanwell helm and the former believes there is no reason why his troops shouldn’t be looking upwards.
“It’s about the group and we’ve got the group right” said the 38-year-old. “They are all capable of playing higher.
“Sometimes you can beat a higher league team and it’s a one-off, but they’ve consistently beaten and outplayed higher league teams.”
As they return to reality, the prize money and profile the Cup has given them is a much-needed boost.
Moore added: “The £18,000 in prize money is fantastic for the club and the chairman (Bob Fisher) hasn’t stopped smiling. He said it’s the biggest crowd (366) they’ve had for a competitive game since they’ve been here, so that in itself is fantastic too.”