SeagullSimon
New member
10:07 - 19 May 2004
Swindon Town have been preparing for the possibility of a penalty shoot-out being used to decide their Division Two play-off semi-final tomorrow night. The Robins travel to Brighton trailing 1-0, despite having had the better of the first leg at the County Ground on Sunday.
Town are confident they can overturn Albion's advantage, but know the tie will be settled by spot- kicks if the scores are level after extra time.
Away goals do not count in the play-offs and there is no 'golden' or 'silver' goal rule.
So far this year, all three Conference play-off ties and one of the two Division One play-off ties have been settled by penalties.
And Town skipper Matt Hewlett revealed the squad had practiced spot kicks at their Wanborough training ground yesterday morning.
"We did some penalty practice but it's difficult to try and recreate the kind of atmosphere we would face in reality," Hewlett said. "But we've done as much as we can to give ourselves the best possible chance, because there's always the chance it could go that far."
Hewlett said he would not take one of the initial five penalties himself, but said a number of Town players had volunteered to do the deed.
"Hopefully it won't go to penalties, but five or six definitely want to take them and if called upon I will take one," Hewlett said.
"Obviously the strikers will want to take one, Andy Gurney has been a regular penalty-taker and I would imagine Sammy Igoe and Brian Howard would be up for it.
"It's difficult because we don't know which team we would end up with, but we have quite a few confident penalty-takers."
Hewlett is nursing a swollen ankle after a training ground knock but is confident he will be available for tomorrow.
The 28-year-old Bristolian is also hoping to welcome back central midfield partner Stef Miglioranzi at the Withdean.
"It would be a massive boost if Stef is fit because he brings a lot of composure to the team," Hewlett said.
"He also does a lot of running and is very strong, so we miss him when he's out."
Swindon Town have been preparing for the possibility of a penalty shoot-out being used to decide their Division Two play-off semi-final tomorrow night. The Robins travel to Brighton trailing 1-0, despite having had the better of the first leg at the County Ground on Sunday.
Town are confident they can overturn Albion's advantage, but know the tie will be settled by spot- kicks if the scores are level after extra time.
Away goals do not count in the play-offs and there is no 'golden' or 'silver' goal rule.
So far this year, all three Conference play-off ties and one of the two Division One play-off ties have been settled by penalties.
And Town skipper Matt Hewlett revealed the squad had practiced spot kicks at their Wanborough training ground yesterday morning.
"We did some penalty practice but it's difficult to try and recreate the kind of atmosphere we would face in reality," Hewlett said. "But we've done as much as we can to give ourselves the best possible chance, because there's always the chance it could go that far."
Hewlett said he would not take one of the initial five penalties himself, but said a number of Town players had volunteered to do the deed.
"Hopefully it won't go to penalties, but five or six definitely want to take them and if called upon I will take one," Hewlett said.
"Obviously the strikers will want to take one, Andy Gurney has been a regular penalty-taker and I would imagine Sammy Igoe and Brian Howard would be up for it.
"It's difficult because we don't know which team we would end up with, but we have quite a few confident penalty-takers."
Hewlett is nursing a swollen ankle after a training ground knock but is confident he will be available for tomorrow.
The 28-year-old Bristolian is also hoping to welcome back central midfield partner Stef Miglioranzi at the Withdean.
"It would be a massive boost if Stef is fit because he brings a lot of composure to the team," Hewlett said.
"He also does a lot of running and is very strong, so we miss him when he's out."
