Sinnott salutes FA Cup success (From Messenger Newspapers)

Sinnott salutes FA Cup success

12:47pm Wednesday 26th September 2012 in Sport

LEE Sinnott saluted a ruthless demolition job on Northern League Shildon, as Altrincham smashed their FA Cup hoodoo in style and earned themselves a third qualifying round trip to Leek Town.

An early blitz from Damian Reeves (2) and James Lawrie ensured there would be no slip-ups this time, as Alty registered their first win in the competition since 2008 and were left savouring a reunion with their former midfielder Anthony Danylyk, at Leek a week on Saturday.

A second-half penalty miss by Reeves and fourth booking of the season for Danny Hall were the only blemishes on a clinical display that dashed the hosts’ hopes of an upset.

"My message to the players before kick-off was simply to get the job done, and I couldn’t have asked for more than three goals inside the first 12 minutes," said Alty boss Sinnott.

"Shildon’s manager was quoted as saying they never gave themselves a chance, and that was pleasing.

"It was a wonderful start, and it could have got even better, if Damian had stuck his spot-kick away. Funnily enough, when I walked on the pitch beforehand, I noticed the penalty spot at that end was lower than the goalline. So it’s perhaps not surprising the kick kept rising as it did.

"Damian has his own criteria for penalties. If he misses one, or even two, he will step up for the next one and put it away. He doesn’t exactly lack confidence, and as long as that remains the case, he will keep taking them. We have had a lot of penalties since I took over, and his conversion rate is good. His record speaks for itself.

"With Danny, players go through phases like that, and, as a centre-half, you are more susceptible to bookings, because of the number of challenges you make. But he is an experienced defender, not at all hot-headed, and he will just have to be careful.

"It will be good to meet up with Anthony again. He was a wholehearted player for us, whose attitude could never be faulted. He had his reasons for wanting to return to Leek, and I fully respected them, just as we will be fully respectful of Leek as opponents."

Duncan Watmore is pushing for a return to the starting line-up at Bishops Stortford on Saturday after completing his recovery from an ankle injury.