Norwood reflects on 3-2 win at Grimsby
Town battled to emerge with a dramatic late victory in their FA Cup with Budweiser Third Round tie at Grimsby this afternoon; a game Oliver Norwood described as a ‘proper’ cuptie.
“It was difficult, but we always knew it was going to be on a very wet, soggy pitch. We knew we would have a lot of the ball and it would be about how we used it, but fair play to Grimsby – they made it very difficult and took the lead twice,” Ollie said of the 3-2 win.
“It was a proper cup tie. You can draw anyone in this competition and we came here looking to do a professional job.
“Maybe on another day we wouldn’t have won, but we kept going until the end and got the win. Regardless of whether it was deserved, the Cup is about being in the hat for the next round and that is the important thing.”
Norwood scored Town’s first equaliser of the afternoon early in the second-half with a precise free-kick.
He explained: “As soon as I saw where the free-kick was, I knew the goalkeeper would go the other way. I just had to put enough pace on it to get it over the wall, because I knew he would go to the other side. Luckily it flew in.
“I’ve scored four now and I know I need to add more goals to my game. Hopefully I can keep scoring.”
It took another equaliser from former Mariner Martin Paterson – his fifth goal in four games – to quell hopes of a cup upset four minutes from time before a late own goal handed Town the victory.
Ollie continued: “After ‘Pato’ scored the second equaliser, we realised we could go on and win it. ‘Dicko’ did well down the left – he’s been brilliant in the last seven or eight games – and he put a great ball across. Their lad has touched it and thankfully it went in the net.
“I said at the start of the season that Martin would score goals if he gets chances and he is putting them away now. His game is about goals and he was as frustrated as anyone when they weren’t coming at the start of the season. Now he is scoring and long may it continue.”
It’s back to league action for the Terriers now, with Millwall coming to West Yorkshire next Saturday.
“The games have been coming thick and fast, but as a footballer that is what you want. We haven’t been able to train much – we’ve just been preparing for the games – but bar the result at Burnley we had a decent Christmas period. We want to see how far up the League we can get,” Ollie said.
“The team spirit has always been good since the first day I arrived at the Club; we’re a close knit group. You can see that togetherness out on the pitch; we want to keep progressing as a group. That could be a good catalyst for us to kick on for the rest of the season.”
Before that the FA Cup Fourth Round draw takes place on Sunday afternoon – and Ollie has no preference on who the Terriers draw:
“I’ll take anyone! That was a proper cup tie and it was enjoyable to play in; that’s what the FA Cup is all about. I’m not sure it was too enjoyable for the Manager, but in the end we can look back upon it as a great cup tie and reflect on a win. We want a good cup run.”
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