A spot of homework

Photo: Darren Robinson

READY FOR ACTION: Athletic goalkeeper Alex Cisak is preparing for every eventuality on Monday night.

ALEX Cisak will be up for the challenge should Athletic require some shoot-out heroics against Chesterfield.

The Tasmanian goalkeeper already has experience of trying to stop a Spireites spot-kick, being defeated by Danny Whitaker in the first leg of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy Northern final.

That goal helped John Sheridan’s men take a 2-1 advantage heading into the return leg on Monday.

Should Athletic win by a single strike at the end of 90 minutes at Boundary Park, a penalty competition will follow without the need for extra time.

And in case of that eventuality, Cisak’s coach Paul Gerrard will study the penalty techniques of other Chesterfield players beforehand — no doubt taking a close look at their shoot-out at Preston which earned them a place in this regional decider.

“Gez watches the videos and we will go through it before the game just in case it does go to penalties,” said the in-form 22-year-old, already regarded as the most promising ’keeper the club have had for some time.

“It happened at Cardiff in the Carling Cup this week and you want to know what your opponent is going to do.

“You look at where they have taken them before, but you also have to trust your instincts to go the right way.

“Hopefully, it won’t come to that and we can get through in normal time.

“We are all positive. It is only a one-goal difference, so I am sure we can drag that back to get the result we need.

“I have watched plenty of FA Cup finals and always thought how amazing it would be to play at Wembley.

“I never thought I would get to play there, so it would be a great experience not only for me but everyone at the club.”

Cisak, whose contract with the club runs until the summer of 2013, kept his eighth clean sheet of the season against Exeter and still believes he can improve his game further.confidence

“As long as you are playing well and keeping clean sheets, you are getting your confidence up which is the main thing,” he added.

“The key thing is to maintain form and also get better as we head towards the end of the season.”