BACKING THE FLEET TO WEMBLEY GLORY: I won’t bottle it when put on the spot, insists Moore

LUKE MOORE says he is willing to be put on the spot during Ebbsfleet United’s two FA Carlsberg Trophy semi-final showdowns with Stevenage Borough, writes Stephen McCartney.

The holders travel to Broadhall Way in the first leg on Saturday, before the return leg at Stonebridge Road takes place seven days later.

Welsh giants Wrexham were given a footballing lesson by The Fleet, during an amazing night at Stonebridge Road in the quarter-finals last month.

Moore bounced back from missing a penalty to score a 30-yard screamer, which helped the Kent side seal an impressive 3-1 replay win.

And yet again, The Fleet go into the two games against Stevenage Borough as clear underdogs, a tag that the Kent side like.

No-one outside Kent gave Liam Daish’s side a chance last season, but they pulled off excellent performances to beat the likes of Burton Albion, Aldershot Town and Torquay United to lift the silverware at Wembley Stadium last May.



GLORY: Kent heroes Ebbsfleet United won the FA Carlsberg Trophy last season with a 1-0 win over Torquay United at Wembley Stadium.
Photograph courtesy of www.thefa.com

But despite seeing his 61^st minute penalty saved by Wrexham goalkeeper Gavin Ward in their last FA Trophy tie, Moore, speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk says he is willing to step up to the mantle again as the Kent club bid to retain their title, although penalty duties were handed to Guiseppe Sole during last night’s impressive 2-1 home win over leaders Burton Albion.

“I’ve been the designated penalty talker this season, so obviously I was going to carry on taking it,” Moore said before the Burton game.

“And obviously I want to carry on taking them now. You can’t just miss one and bottle it after that, but I’d like to think they’d let me carry on.”

Sacha Opinel, meanwhile, was the most relieved man against Wrexham, as his poor header back towards goalkeeper Lance Cronin was pounced upon by Jefferson Louis, who accepted the gift to grab Wrexham a 52^nd minute lead.

But goals from Sole, Moore and John Martin, who has been refused permission to play against his parent club, as he is currently on loan from Stevenage Borough, saved the Frenchman’s heartache.

The fans’ favourite, however, believes The Fleet can replicate their heroic performances and send Stevenage packing to return to Wembley Stadium - and go on to win the Trophy as they did against Torquay United last May.

Torquay United beat York City in their two-legged semi-final last year, and York City could face The Fleet at the national stadium, if they see off AFC Telford United in their semi-final double header.

“It’s going to be tough,” admitted the French left-back, when speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

“But we remember last year, when we drew Burton and came back here, a lot of chances and we (won the quarter-final replay).

“Stevenage are a big club, like Aldershot.

“The the team spirit is great. We’ve got a big squad, I don’t know whose going to play, but we’ve got a great chance.

“It’s the last round before the final, before Wembley, we need to go through - we have to win it.”

Moore echoed the views of his team-mate, although he would like a second FA Trophy winners medal sitting proudly on his mantelpiece at home.

“We want it to be as similar to last year, we want to go on and win it again,” said Moore.

“But we’ve got a tough game at Stevenage, who wouldn’t want to play at Wembley again!”

Visit Stevenage Borough’s website: www.stevenageborofc.com

Visit Ebbsfleet United’s website: www.ebbsfleetunited.co.uk

COVERAGE

BBC Radio Kent will be proving radio and website commentary of the game with Charles Webster and Stephen McCartney on 96.7fm and 104.2 and the website www.bbc.co.uk/kent

www.kentishfootball.co.uk will not be updated during the course of the game, but the report and reaction will follow over the course of the weekend.

Stevenage Borough v Ebbsfleet United
FA Carlsberg Trophy Semi-Final First Leg
Saturday 14^th March 2009
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Lamex Stadium, Broadhall Way, Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG2 8RH