Abbo: ‘A Fantastic Way to Win a Game’
Hinckley AFC manager Carl Abbott says that winning a game late on will give his side even more confidence, and says that it is a ‘fantastic’ way to win a game.
Justin Nisbett’s fine late volley was only goal of the game, and Abbott hopes that winning a game in such a way gives players a great belief going forward. Speaking after the game, he said: ‘It was a great goal, and what a fantastic way to win a football match.
‘That hasn’t happened a lot for me as a manager, last minute goals winning a game, but it’s fantastic because you come in here and the changing room is bouncing.
‘Something like that really gets the supporters going, it galvanises the squad, and gives you that inner belief moving onto the next game that a match is never dead. It can take ninety minutes to score a goal and win a game of football, and there is no better way to win a game!
‘Although, my heart was in my mouth for the 89 minutes before the goal, but it was a wonderful goal.’
The former Wolves Casuals boss says that, when playing for such a long time against ten men, doubt begins to creep in when the scoreline remains goalless.
‘I’m a pessimist by nature I think! I’ll often say to Tommo (Paul Tomlinson) “I don’t think it’s going to happen today”, but I’ll have someone like Gunny (Dave Gunn) in my ear saying that a game of football is ninety minutes long!
‘Tommo always says that we will get another break, and today it fell to Justin. It wasn’t an easy chance by a long shot but that’s a hell of a strike.’
And after the early season run where Hinckley couldn’t find the win, Abbott now says that they look more robust at the back, and that they look like conceding fewer goals.
‘There’s a different feeling about it now. I feel differently about it. I feel like I did at my old club where you turn up to games and you are confident that you will get a positive result.
‘We have always believed in the players, but I think the thing now is that they believe in themselves, and we’re going to be hard to beat now. Teams have got to work hard to score a goal, let alone beat us, so I’m really pleased.
‘I thought that today’s was a good game of football, and they were a good side as well.’