Cornard United boss Gary Monti hailed his side’s never-say-die attitude after they came from a goal down against Framlingham Town to progress to the Thurlow Nunn League First Division North play-off final.
Substitute Billy Nasso, who had been on the pitch for less than a minute, proved to be the difference between the two sides as his low drive from inside the area helped the visitors to a 2-1 win and extended the Ards’ unbeaten run to 13 games.
Cornard will travel to Holland FC for a spot in the Premier Division on May 4.
“It feels really good. I thought we had the better chances to win the game and I thought we deserved it overall,” said Monti.
“Playing them two weeks ago and beating them 3-1 gave us a bit of confidence coming into the game and I thought we were on the front foot for most of it to be honest.
“We gave a soft goal away, a poor one form our behalf, but we never really looked in trouble.
“We keep going 1-0, 2-0, 3-1 down and for the last 12 or 13 games we’ve come back from being in those positions nearly every week. We gift goals and spend the rest of the time getting back into the game.
“They’ve got a never-say-die attitude and we’ll come back. Teams, to beat us, have got to play right to the 90th minute and give it their all.”
Framlingham – who finished 14 points above Cornard in the regular season – took the lead through an own goal but the visitors found a well-deserved equaliser when Luke Spurling showed composure to round Edward Cummings and slot home.
Match-winner Nasso sparked wild celebrations on and off the pitch in the second half, as he fired a low left-footed effort from just inside the box, which proved too powerful for the Castlemen’s goalkeeper to keep out at his near post.
On how much pride he has, Monti said: “There’s a lot. They’re all mates, they play for each other and we said that in the team talk before the game. ‘This is about a team, not individuals, and you’ve got to win this together’, and they did.
“It’s probably underestimated what we’e done. We came in with two or players left, rebuilt the whole lot, started from scratch but what really helped was that the players (we brought in) had played for me in the past. I’m sure the club are pleased, I don’t think they were expecting it.
“It (promotion) would be unbelievable, considering we took over with not many players. For the club, it’s massive. It’s a big little area Cornard, but we don’t really get enough crowds in. Going up the levels, we’ll get more supporters in and it’s just good for the area really.”
Speaking on Nasso’s goal, the Cornard boss said: “He’s normally a right-back, and he’s been injured and out for a while. He keeps saying ‘play me up front, play me up front’, so we thought we’d put him out there and he’s scored with his first touch more or less.”
In the week, Monti said he was taking his side to Badingham Road with no fear. They delivered the job on the league’s second-placed side and stated the same message will be given to his players for the play-off final against Holland next Saturday.
“We beat them in the league 2-1 just after I first came over. There were a lot of bookings in the game and I can see it being exactly the same game. Again, it’s going to be a game of fine margins. It’s anybody’s game.”
