Reds boss Edmondson tells Hardman: You've got a lot of bottle

By John Walsh

Last updated 13:02, Wednesday, 01 October 2008

Workington boss Darren Edmondson had a word of comfort for youngster Andrew Hardman after his penalty miss at Harrogate.

The Reds’ substitute saw his spot-kick saved by outstanding Harrogate keeper Jim Provett to take the home side through.

Edmondson said: “We are all in this together and support Andrew all the way. He had the bottle to go up and take the penalty and Provett made another good stop.

“I’ve been in that situation as a player and know how difficult it is. He’s a young man who took responsibility on his shoulders and on this occasion it didn’t pay off for him.

“But I told the players how proud I was of their effort. For the third time this season we have outplayed the second top team in the league and if it hadn’t been for an inspired goalkeeper we would be going to Eastwood.”

It wasn’t so much Provett’s two spot kick stops to deny Hardman and Anthony Wright, but his save late in the normal time which prevented a Phil McLuckie header from winning the tie for Workington.

“I don’t know how he kept it out. It was a save straight from the top drawer and has denied us FA Cup progress,” said Edmondson.

Workington had gone into the tie without three key players – top scorer Jonny Wright (badly bruised toe) as well as experienced midfielders Tony Hopper (working) and Graham Anthony (suspended).

“We went there as underdogs and we have responded superbly. I told them on the pitch at the end I was very proud of the way they had played.

“We have to take a lot of heart from our performances against Harrogate because they are currently the form team in the League and are lying second. We should have beaten them three times and didn’t concede a goal in 300 minutes,”he said.

For Workington it was a case of deja-vu. Eleven years ago in an FA Trophy replay at Wetherby Road it finished 0-0 after extra-time and Harrogate won 5-4 on penalties.