TROPHY TRIUMPH IS HUGE SHOT IN THE ARM FOR SMITH

BISHOP’S STORTFORD boss Steve Smith says their thrashing of Aldershot was a great moment for everyone at the Blues during a tough season.

The Hertfordshire club dumped out the National League Shots with a stunning 6-1 victory that included five goals from Bermuda international Kane Crichlow.

It was some welcome cheer for Smith’s side who have found Step 2 tough going following their Isthmian Premier title triumph last season before becoming victims of Step 2 clubs’ geography in the summer when they were placed in the National League North.

And Smith says turning over the high-flying Shots – who made just one change from their previous game with West Brom in the FA Cup third round – has given them huge belief.

“I’ve got to be honest, last Saturday morning before I left the house I said to my wife, ‘I am fearing today,’” Smith told The NLP. “We were a few players short. But it was unbelievable.

“Kane had five shots and scored five goals. We were 4-0 up inside 20 minutes. I went in the dressing room at half-time and said, ‘Boys, I still don’t feel comfortable in this game’, as mad as it seemed. “I said, ‘They won 7-4 at Swindon. If they get the next goal, it’s game on’.

“But we kept our shape and we played really well. We really battered them. They couldn’t deal with us on the day. They only made one change, Josh Stokes coming in, from the team who played West Brom.

“It was a great result for the club. We really needed that. We still believe we can get out of it (relegation trouble), we really do. It’s a big call but I’ve set them a target of two points per game.”

Smith admits the travelling has been tough for his players this season but they’ve settled into a routine for long-away trips.

“We’ve had a few overnighters, the boys don’t really like that and would rather travel up on the morning,” Smith said. “It’s difficult. On Saturday for Chester we are leaving at 7.30am. We’ve got a lovely coach, Everton’s old team coach, and we’re very fortunate for that because a sponsor has paid for it.

“It has TVs, a kitchen, everything is on there and that

makes it a little bit easier.

“But some have to be up at 6am, sit on a bus for five hours and then play. So it’s not easy. Vice-versa for teams who come to us on a Tuesday night. We’ve got Southport on a Tuesday. It’s crazy. They’ve got to something about it.

“It’s the cost implications. Boys want more money because of the time, plus the travel costs. If you do go overnight it can cost nearly £5,000 for the coach and hotel before you’ve played a game.”

It’s why a last 16 home game is so welcome with Smith’s side set to welcome Step 3 Coalville Town, who claimed the scalp of Bath City last time out.

“They went to Bath and won on penalties so they will come thinking they can get a result but, at this stage of the competition, all you can ask for is a home draw,” Smith said.

“It’s a great draw for both clubs. Whoever gets through has a quarter-final place, which is a big achievement.”