Cup crackers

Lee Johnson and captain Korey Smith celebrate with latics fans after the final whistle

LEE Johnson was left purring over his squad options after in-form Athletic dumped Wolves out of the FA Cup in emphatic style.

Though a last-minute Leigh Griffiths goal made the scoreline more respectable for the home side at a sparsely-populated Molineux, there was no doubt on the night that the visitors were good for their 2-1 first-round replay victory.

It was gained thanks to a seventh goal of the season by Athletic’s man-of-the-moment Danny Philliskirk and a sixth for substitute Adam Rooney, pushing the club into the second round where they now face Mansfield of Sky Bet League Two at home on Saturday, December 7.

“The players are getting in tune with one another and that is important, because our patterns, movement, defending and balance is so much better than it was,” said Johnson, who has now tasted defeat only once in the last six matches after this latest win over the League One leaders.

“It is no fluke, as we spend so much time working on it.

“Danny (Philliskirk) could have had a hat-trick and the midfield two (Anton Rodgers and James Wesolowski) were very good in their distribution of the ball and their work-rate.

“Genseric Kusunga is getting better and better with every game. It is good now as we have Joseph Mills and Jonathan Grounds to come back, while David Mellor did well, too.

“People can start influencing others.

“We have got to keep getting better. We haven’t cracked anything yet, although I do feel like we are on the right track.”

It took an age for referee Keith Stroud to award Philliskirk’s goal, which was prodded in after Wolves goalkeeper Carl Ikeme had fumbled Jonson Clarke-Harris’s free-kick.

Rooney’s finish after coming on as substitute was emphatic enough and Johnson now has a set of selection issues ahead of the long trip south to Gillingham for Saturday’s League One clash at Priestfield.

“It went over the line and the referee had a little look at the linesman and looked like he wasn’t going to give it,” said Athletic’s boss of the 21st-minute opener from Philliskirk. “Time stood still for me, anyway.

“I knew it was a fumble. Jonno is dangerous in that area. He does put some power behind it and Philly, like a true poacher, poked it in.

“It was deserved at the time and we could have gone on to get two or three more goals.

“It was a good finish (from Rooney) and I am delighted for him. It is good to get a goal from open play and he also had another couple of shots.

“He has been unlucky as the form of Clarke-Harris and Philliskirk have kept him out.

“There you go – we also have Kirk Millar to come back in and Charlie MacDonald as well.

“With those players on fire, hopefully we are looking sound up front and defensively.”

Johnson said he will save the criticism over the goal that was conceded for another day, preferring to focus on the positives on the night.

“It was a nice treat for our fans who travelled again, were very vocal and got behind the lads,” he added.

“I appreciate that everyone sees what we are trying to do and now we have to kick on in the league.

“Mansfield is a tough game but let’s think about it when we get to it. It is a home tie and hopefully, if we can get good form going into it we can put another performance in.

“I want to be both a cup and a league team. It is fortunate we have everyone fit now and we will have to use the full squad, no doubt.”

Connor Brown missed last night’s clash due to suffering a slight knock to his injured knee which has seen the joint contain some fluid.

Cristian Montano came off with a sore back and David Mellor was withdrawn due to cramp.

ATHLETIC’S reserves took on Wrexham today at Chapel Road in a Central League, West Division clash (1pm kick-off).