The Shaymen made it through to the final after beating Salford City on penalties, the two sides couldn’t be separated in over 210 minutes of play and it took Matty Brown’s penalty to the break the hearts of the away side and send the Shay into delirium.
The Shaymen faithful have been fantastic throughout from the first game away at Nuneaton Town through to the semi-final second leg at the Shay against Salford City. After suffering heartache from relegation last season, the Shaymen are looking to make a swift exit from the National League North back into the Conference Premier at the first time of asking and Johnson knows how much this would mean to the fans…
“It would be fantastic because they have deserved it, coming out in their numbers the last few games especially and they deserve it more than anyone really.”
The home advantage in the second leg proved key against the Ammies and it could prove to be the Shaymen’s weapon once against when Chorley come to town. It should prove to be a fantastic atmosphere around the Shay and Sam knows that the players need to give the fans something to get behind…
“We’re a really intimidating bunch, especially when they get really behind us. We’ve got to give them something to shout about so we’ve got to get at the races from the first whistle and hopefully give them something to get behind.”
The on-loan goalkeeper played in the FA trophy final last year at Wembley and will be in between the sticks on Saturday afternoon. As a footballer, these are the days which makes you feel grateful to get out on the pitch and Sam is fully aware of the magnitude that this game holds…
“At the end of the day you want to play in the big games, in front of the big crowds especially I do anyway. No disrespect to any other club but you want to be involved in the big games and this is certainly one of them.”
The victory over Salford was courtesy of a penalty shoot-out after two 1-1 draws. Johnson played his part in goal during the shoot-out, another potential penalty shoot-out could occur at the Shay if they cannot find a winner in 120 minutes. Johnson doesn’t feel nervous towards these shout-outs having played in several during his career so far…
“I have been in quite a few penalty shoot-outs in my time but I don’t feel nervous towards them, the goalkeepers never at fault so you’ve got nothing to worry about and you’ve just to think about being the hero. Luckily again, I was on the winning side.”
It’s more excitement than nerves for the on-loan goalkeeper and Johnson cannot wait to get out on the field of play full of confidence after the victory over Salford last Sunday…
“Like I said last time in the first leg, I’m not feeling too nervous. We put in a great performance in the second leg against Salford so we’ve got to go with the same mind-set on the day. It’s more confident than nerves if anything.”
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