Gannon Happy To Exorcise A County Demon

County were 3-0 up in the FA Cup against their Vanarama National League North rivals back in September.

The Red Rebels then came to life - drawing level before winning the tie in the replay at Broadhurst Park to seal their passage through thanks to now-player/manager Tom Greaves.

So you could of course understand tension when Gannon’s team went three goals ahead on Saturday. Watch Match Highlights Here.

But fans need not have worried, County went on to win 4-1 and are now hovering just outside the play-off places.

The manager knew the Cup game was still on his players’ minds and he used what happened seven weeks ago to make sure it didn’t happen again.

“There was a lot of motivation for our players after what happened against FC United earlier in the season in the FA Cup,” Gannon told the National League.

“The training we did paid off and we showed great qualities. We didn’t get what we deserved last week but I think we did on Saturday

“No game is ever won in the first half. We have been working really hard on our fitness levels and our game management, and even at 3-0 up we clearly knew we can’t think it’s game over.”

Gannon spoke too about the play-offs - and gave some clues to his thinking for the rest of the season.

“We aren’t the finish article, and it was a frustrating that United managed to get a goal against us,” he added.

“As a former centre-half I’ll lament the fact that we’ve only had one clean sheet in our last nine, but we’re a team who certainly know how to score goals.

“Because of the play-off structure this year, we would like to be in third or fourth if we can. But we’ve got to be realistic in terms of the transformation that has taken place in our squad.”

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