PLAYER REVIEW: Scott Allison on Saturday’s Emirates FA Cup win

Scott Allison says it was all about reaching the next stage of the Emirates FA Cup as Reds beat Knaresborough Town 1-3 on Saturday.

Allison bagged a brace in the Preliminary Round after Conor Tinnion’s opener, putting us in the hat for the First Qualifying Round draw at 1pm today.

Speaking post-match at Manse Lane, the double goalscorer said. “We’re really happy with the result.

“I didn’t think we were at out best today but to get a 1-3, and in the end, comfortable win, it’s all good.”

Three minutes before the break, Allison took his first goal well, sending the teams in at 1-2.

However, his second strike which wrapped things up really caught the eye.

Matty Clarke and Tinnion’s interplay, coupled with great work from Brad Carroll and Reuben Jerome off the ball, allowed Allison to finish the move with his 122nd goal for the club.

Granted, it wasn’t all vintage Reds football in North Yorkshire, something he acknowledged.

“We got into the right places a lot but just didn’t find the finish at the end of it.

“I’m happy I took one off Reuben’s toes,” he joked on that second before admitting: “Overall, we were okay.

“The pitch didn’t suit us but stuck to our game plan and controlled the ball for long periods.

“It was all about getting through to the next round which we did!”

Our goalscorer supreme was often deployed on the right-wing by manager Danny Grainger in pre-season, and he played a full 90 minutes there on Saturday.

Working well with Clarke down the flank and scoring twice for the second weekend in a row, it seems he’s enjoying being back in a familiar role.

“It’s been fine,” he said.

“It’s something I’ve done before, to be a genuine winger.

“So it’s nothing different for me and if I keep scoring two goals, I’m happy to be out there.”

We’ll have more reaction from the match and a look ahead to next Saturday’s game at Pickering Town from Dan Wordsworth on Wednesday.