I feel like an FA Cup fraud: Luke

Nov 12 2007 by Dougie Thomson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

LUKE BECKETT fired Town to a first knockout win in seven attempts but insisted: “It’s the 11 lads who started who deserve all the credit.”

Town’s seasoned goal-getter came off the bench to clinch last Tuesday’s 2-0 League I win at home to Hartlepool.

And he repeated the trick at the Fraser Eagle Stadium on Saturday, sealing a welcome come-from-behind triumph with an 89th-minute shot.

It was the fifth goal of the season by Town’s top scorer, but Beckett hasn’t started any of the last three games, all of which his side have won.

“I’ve no qualms about not being selected. I’m out of the team because I haven’t been doing the business,” admitted the Sheffield-based star, who will be 31 by the time the second round takes place on the weekend of December 1/2.

“All I can do is keep working hard and hopefully keep scoring when I do come on, and it was a great feeling to get the winner.

“But I have to say I feel a bit of a fraud. As a substitute, a lot of the time it’s easy. If you come on and do nothing, nothing’s said. If you come on and score, you’re a hero.”

Town had to fight back after going behind to goals by Stanley skipper Peter Cavanagh, in the 12th minute, and Paul Mullin, in the 25th.

“It was disappointing to be trailing again, but the lads stuck to their guns and kept battling,” added Beckett, who looked on as Malvin Kamara pulled one back in first-half stoppage time and had replaced Joe Skarz by the time the same player collected his second in the 83rd minute.

“I know they missed one or two other chances in the first half, but I always thought we were the stronger and after Malvin’s first, I was confident we would get a win.

“Scoring right on half-time was crucial because it knocked them back and put us on the front foot playing downhill and to our own fans.

“We were in control, and it was just a matter of time until the equaliser really. After that it was great to go and get the winner.”

Beckett paid tribute to Accrington, saying: “They were up for it and they made it tough as we always knew they would do.

“Even though they’re in the Football League now, it’s like a non-league ground.

“The wind and the rain acted as a leveller as well.

“It was a good cup-tie and good atmosphere, and I enjoyed playing to a bank of fans standing behind the goal, which doesn’t happen that often these days because of all-seater grounds.”