Town boss Neil Aspin has declared his side have a ‘great opportunity’ to get their own back on Cambridge United when the two sides meet in the Skrill Conference Premier play-off semi-final.
The Shaymen’s 1-1 draw with Kidderminster on the final day of the regular season secured their play-off place and a tie with the U’s, and Aspin has hailed his side after a wonderful and unexpected campaign.
“I’ve said to the players that it’s a fantastic achievement. They should be proud of themselves and their efforts this season. For a newly promoted team and a part time team to make it to the play-offs is a really big achievement. They’ve done fantastically all season and from a difficult start on that first day of the season at Cambridge, they’ve certainly acquitted themselves better than anyone would have expected. Sometimes as a manager, it’s nice when a team does better than what you expect them to do, and they’ve surpassed what I thought we could achieve.”
Town missed out on a third place finish and a draw with Grimsby as they failed to beat the Harriers on Saturday, but Aspin believes his side have a great chance, regardless of their opposition, who have had a tough few weeks.
“It’s better to play them (Cambridge) when they’re not on a run of wins, but they’ve got the personnel to change their team. If they can go back to how they were at the start of the season, we know they’re going to be a strong team, but we’re not scared of them. We’re really going to give it a good go.”
The semi-final draw has allowed Town the opportunity to right wrongs from the opening day of the season when they were thrashed by the U’s, and Aspin is keen to do just that.
“Cambridge wouldn’t have thought they’d be playing us in the semi-final of the play-offs after beating us 5-1 on the opening day of the season, so it gives us a great opportunity to redress that balance.”
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