LINCOLN UNITED
CHAIRMAN Allen Crombie reckons Lincoln United’s clash with Vase favourites Deal Town couldn’t be closer – he’s just hoping it doesn’t go to penalties again!
The United Counties League North outfit have progressed via a penalty shootout three times on their epic run to the quarters. They beat Newark Town in their opening second round qualifying before securing back-to-back spot-kick success against South Liverpool and Hallam.
“I’m not sure my nerves can take anymore,” Crombie smiled.
“I felt sorry for both sides we’ve played in the last two rounds, penalties are a really tough way to lose, it’s a lottery – it can go either way. “Our goalkeeper Jack Steggles has come up trumps and is a massive hero. In the first shootout he actually took a penalty as well and against Hallam he saved the last penalty so he’s a great hero. It’s great to see the boys running up and celebrating with him. “Penalties are a nice way to win a game and not a nice way to lose a game, it’s our third penalty shoot-out victory in the vase so we’ve done well in shootouts. We’ve got some good technical players so we’re feeling confident when we get to penalties but we know it can go against you as well.”
Crombie believes the Whites have as good a chance as anybody to lift the trophy and is expecting a bumper gate for the Southern Counties East League high-flyers.
He said: “We think we’re due a home fixture, we’re as confident as we can be being at home, when you get to the quarter finals it can be tough and go either way so we’re not getting carried away.
“We’re excited for the attendance, Lincoln City our neighbours are away so we’re looking for a bumper gate, we’re hoping for around 1,000 fans but time will tell.
“We’ve got as good a chance as anybody at this stage, Worcester City are strong contenders, Emley we know fairly well, they’re in the same league as Hallam, we feel once you get to a semi, you’ve got a chance whoever you play.
“Stuart Pearce said in his commentary doing the draw that when you get to the quarter-finals you can have a sniff of Wembley, we need to get through this round and see where that takes us.”