Cisak: Make mine a double

alex cisak: mixed fortunes in knock-out competitions for Accrington Stanley last season.

ALEX Cisak is hoping his personal cup can soon runneth over with good cheer.

A mixed record in knock-out competitions saw the Tasmanian shot-stopper fail to make the Accrington side which lost their FA Cup second-round tie at Port Vale on the corresponding weekend a year ago.

On taking to the field, he helped Accrington claim a cup victory on penalties over Tranmere in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy first round — only for the team to then be thrown out for fielding an ineligible player in the same game.

It is a story of varying fortunes that Cisak hopes to put firmly behind him, as Athletic start their big double-header with a second-round FA Cup tie away to Southend tomorrow.

“Southend are top of npower League Two and have done very well this season,” said the 22-year-old former Leicester City trainee, who has impressed this season since signing a two-year contract in the summer.

“It will be a tough game for us and one we expect will be played out in front of a big crowd.

“It is a tight ground down there and with people packed in, these are the occasions you look forward to.

“We want to do well in cup matches. The FA Cup has a long history and it is an important competition. And then, the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy game against Bradford on Tuesday gives us a chance to make it closer to Wembley.”

Cisak and his defence kept a clean sheet which earned a point at Bournemouth last week, the first since Wycombe were beaten 2-0 at Boundary Park six weeks ago.

“I hadn’t kept one for a while so it was pleasing,” Cisak added. “We need to keep on picking up those clean sheets and being tight at the back, because we always feel we can score goals.

“I am happy with my own form. But the main thing is that, as a team, we keep on performing and to progress as far as we can.”

Nathan Clarke is unlikely to breach that defensive line-up at Roots Hall, but his parent club Huddersfield have granted him permission to play. The centre-back is likely to be on the bench, which in the FA Cup consists of seven players.

The situation on Chris Taylor’s tight hamstring is less clear. “We don’t know yet with Chris,” said Athletic boss Paul Dickov. “He has a chance and we will take a look at him, but we have a big game on Tuesday night (against Bradford) as well. We won’t take any risks, as we have got a lot of important games coming up.”



THE DRAW for the third round of the FA Cup takes place live on ITV1 on Sunday, at around 2.40pm.