Local hero!

Photo: Alan Howarth

WHAT A FEELING . . . Chris Taylor celebrates his winning goal.

Goal meant so much to Taylor - Dickov

SCORING hero Chris Taylor was saluted by manager Paul Dickov as the perfect man to fire Athletic through to their dream FA Cup tie at Liverpool.

Back after a three-game absence with a hamstring strain, the 24-year-old lifelong fan of the club lashed home a 58th-minute winner to down Southend and confirm the date at Anfield.

It was a goal which not only gives players and fans a big day out on Merseyside early next year, but also helps swell the coffers significantly as a result of Athletic’s near half-share of gate receipts.

“You saw when he scored the goal what it meant to him,” said Dickov.

“Chris loves being here — he loves the fans and everything about the place. It is probably fitting that he scored the goal that got us there. For the feel-good factor and the financial side, it is massive for us. I tried to play it down beforehand, but I knew how big it was.”

Liverpool first-team coach Kevin Keen was at Boundary Park last night to run the rule over their next opponents in the competition.

With both sides playing in the knowledge that a third-round tie at the Premier League giants awaited the victors, Athletic started slowly in a tense game and goalkeeper Alex Cisak was forced into three good first-half saves to keep the Shrimpers at bay.

Bilel Mohsni’s red card for two bookings in the opening period certainly helped the cause of Dickov’s men, who controlled the game afterwards with few scares following Taylor’s emphatic close-range finish.

“It wasn’t a particularly good performance but I am just pleased to get to the next round,” added Dickov. “I am proud of the players. I know we can play better, but I felt that along with the conditions being poor we were a little bit nervous. As much as we have tried to keep the next round away from them, they are human beings and we all knew it was there.

“It is good to not play that well and get a result for once. Credit to Southend, they made it hard for us. I am extremely proud to make it through to what is a massive tie. It is all about the chairman, the directors, the people who work at the club day in, day out, the players and the fans.

“The club has been reasonably starved of success recently. It is only the third round. But we said when the first round was drawn, our cup final would be getting through to this stage and being drawn with a Premier League club. It is fantastic. There will be a feel-good factor and a real buzz around the place going into the New Year.”



ATHLETIC officials will speak today with their Liverpool counterparts regarding arrangements for the Anfield game.
The tie will be played on the weekend of January 7-8, though it is unlikely to be on the Saturday as it would then clash with city neighbours Everton’s home tie against Tamworth.