Professional display satisfies Dickov

ATHLETIC manager Paul Dickov was able to enjoy a shock-free 40th birthday weekend after his team took care of business at Aggborough.

Blue Square Bet Premier side Kidderminster were second-best for most of this FA Cup first-round tie.

Though they responded gamely towards the end, by then Athletic were home and hosed thanks to Cristian Montano’s opening strike and Jose Baxter’s fifth goal in sixth games for the club.

“We knew, having watched them several times, that it was going to be really tough game for us,” said Dickov, whose side faces Doncaster at Boundary Park in round two.

“It was tough, but I am delighted to get through because the boys were excellent.

“It was a thoroughly-professional performance from us. We knew they would come at us and we stressed during the week about keeping our concentration up for the whole game.

“In the first 25 minutes, we could have been four goals up with the chances we created before they came back into it a little bit.

“I always said, whatever level you play at, especially away from home, you will come under pressure at times. It happened a little bit in the second half, but I can’t really remember Dean (Bouzanis) having a save to make. Defensively, we looked solid.”


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