Cup ace Beckett looks to League 1

Jan 28 2008 by Dougie Thomson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

TOWN’S FA Cup hero Luke Beckett looked back on the fourth-round win over Oldham and said: “Let’s make this a catalyst for a climb up the league table.”

TOWN’S FA Cup hero Luke Beckett looked back on the fourth-round win over Oldham and said: “Let’s make this a catalyst for a climb up the league table.”

Andy Ritchie’s side are back in bread-and-butter action at home to Bournemouth tomorrow, and Beckett, whose well-taken ninth-minute header sunk his old club, is ready for another big battle.

“It was a great win at Oldham and a great day for me personally, because I got another goal,” said the eight-strike top scorer who has netted in all four rounds of the FA Cup this time around.

“I have to be honest and say I didn’t have that much to do for the goal. Nathan Clarke put in a great long throw and all I had to do was direct it. It went off my forehead so fast that there was no time for the keeper to react.

“We knew the tie was going to be tight, and getting an early goal gave us something to latch on to, and it turned out to be very important.”

While Beckett was eagerly looking forward to today’s fifth-round draw, he says Town will quickly put the FA Cup out of their minds as they prepare to face a Bournemouth side fired up by a 3-1 League I win at Port Vale on Saturday.

“The FA Cup’s been good because it’s lifted the players and fans alike,” added the 31-year-old.

“There was a great atmosphere and being in the fifth-round draw is exciting for both players and supporters alike.

“But we all know we have to do the business in the league as well.

“Tomorrow’s match is the first in a glut of midweek games, and that means there is plenty of chance to pick up points fast and start to climb that table.”

Saturday’s was 17th-placed Town’s eighth clean sheet of the campaign, and Beckett believes the defensive display will help breed confidence.

“It wasn’t that pretty, but there was a lot of passion out there, and Oldham threw a lot at us,” he said.

“We withstood it well, and we also coped well with some very windy conditions, so there are lots of reasons to be positive.”

Beckett hailed the debut display of fellow former Sheffield United man Robert Page, saying: “He’s one of a number of experienced players in our squad.

“He’s a good player and a good influence, because he talks and organises well.

“It’s good to have a player of Rob’s quality on board.”