‘It’s about who turns up on the night, who is bravest’ – Phillips
Kevin Phillips plans to draw on his vast play-off experience as he looks to lead South Shields to victory in tonight’s crunch semi-final against Warrington Town at 1st Cloud Arena.
Phillips experienced both sides of the play-off coin in his playing days, from the agony of missing out on promotion to the Premier League with Sunderland via a penalty shoot-out to the ecstasy of scoring the winner as Crystal Palace reached the top flight.
Shields are two wins away from a promotion of their own and have home advantage, having finished second in the Northern Premier League.
If they overcome Warrington they will also host the final at 1st Cloud Arena next Monday, but Phillips is refusing to look beyond the Yellows.
He said: “I’ve had plenty of experience of play-offs in my career, good and bad.
“We’ve got home advantage, but in play-offs that doesn’t count for a lot because it’s about who turns up on the night, who is brave and who plays to their gameplan. You have to play the game and not the occasion.
“Warrington will fancy their chances but it’s up to us as individuals to get ourselves ready for the challenge. We know we can beat anyone on any given day.”
Shields defeated Warrington home and away in
the league this season, and the pair also have history when it comes to the playoffs.
They met in the Northern Premier League play-off final in 2019, when Warrington came from behind to win 2-1.
Due to a league restructuring, that victory did not earn the Yellows promotion to National League North and they were instead forced into a super play-off final against King’s Lynn Town, which they suffered defeat in after extra-time.
A big crowd is expected at 1st Cloud Arena as the two teams look to take a big step towards promotion.
Phillips feels the fans could play a big part.
He added: “We’ve got to stick together, because we all want the same thing and we’ve got a fantastic opportunity in front of us.
“Our destiny is in our own hands, and we know that if we win two matches we’ll be promoted.
“First and foremost, we’ve got to put in a great performance and get the result we need.
“It won’t be easy and they’re huge matches, but
I’m sure our supporters will be there in their thousands and get behind us.
“We’ll be looking to put on a show for them.”
Phillips is set to have a strong squad to choose from, with just long-term absentee Callum Ross expected to be missing.
Kick-off at 1st Cloud Arena is at 7.45pm and admission prices – which can be paid at the turnstiles – are £10 for adults, £8 for students, over-65s and disabled supporters, and £3 for under-16s.
The other semi-final also takes place tonight, with Scarborough Athletic at home to Matlock Town. Should either game be level after 90 minutes, the tie will go to extra-time and then penalties.