Trophy test awaits

Filipe Morais: tough game, but we've done it before

EXPECTATIONS are being managed by Athletic at Scunthorpe tonight.

While Glanford Park is the scene of one victory for Paul Dickov’s side already this season, that triumph was the product of both hard graft and plenty of good fortune, with the Iron hitting the goal frame on three occasions during their 2-1 home reverse.

This time around, the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy second-round tie — Athletic got a bye through the first stage — pushes the club one step closer to a Wembley final.

With a two-legged Northern section final to get past before plotting a route down the showpiece event, four wins from five games is the minimum needed to achieve that goal.

For Filipe Morais, horses are currently being held.

“It is a tough game, as it was when we went there last time,” said the Athletic winger, the man credited with the assist for Matt Smith’s match-winning header against Scunthorpe.

“It was a fantastic result over there and nobody expected us to do it. It is probably the same situation again.

“We want to do well in the cups and have a good run.”

Morais has never played at Wembley and tonight aims to help Athletic to a cup-tie victory, something they haven’t managed without the aid of a penalty shoot-out since Gary McDonald scored his stunning winner against Everton in the FA Cup third-round tie at Goodison Park in the 2007-08 season.

“We are way off from there (Wembley) and we have to take each game as it comes,” Morais said.

“Scunthorpe is the first one and we are determined to do well.”

The 25-year-old will hope to start tonight’s game after he put in an effective and hard-working shift at Exeter.

“Against Brentford I didn’t really do anything and gave them a goal,” said Morais, reflecting on the Bees’ second effort at Boundary Park two weeks ago.

“I have been working hard. Hopefully it pays off and I can get back into the team to make that impact.”

Scunthorpe’s form is good, with consecutive league wins lifting the team from the League One relegation zone to a spot in mid-table — only two points behind Athletic.

Damien Mozika, a six-figure midfield signing from Bury, netted twice in a 2-1 home win over Yeovil and that result was followed up by victory at Stevenage on Saturday, Eddie Nolan and Michael O’Connor getting the goals for Alan Knill’s improving side.