Hallam Hope on the Exeter game and scoring goals
We spoke to forward Hallam Hope following the eventful game at Exeter at the weekend."We wanted the three points before the game," he told us. "Even after the game, we were a bit disappointed we hadn't got all three because we thought we could have done a bit more. At the end of the day it's a point away from home and we'll move on.
"It was disappointing to go behind so early because it was a cheap goal to give away. We gave ourselves a bit of a hill to climb but thankfully we got the goals we needed to earn the point."
On the ninth minute safety interruption, he said: "The delay was really strange and it isn't something I've ever experienced before. We heard that the fire alarm had been set off so we had to wait for the fire brigade to get there and check the stand.
"We were in the room they'd put us in but we were making sure we kept on our feet so we didn't stiffen up. I don't think the concentration was the difficult bit, it was more about keeping your body warm and ready for when the referee told us we could get the game back under way.
"You can be really hyped up at the start of the game, but after nine minutes we had to stop playing and we had a big break, so it was all a bit strange. I think it took me about ten minutes after the restart to get back up to speed and into the flow of things.
"The interruption gave us a chance to talk about the game and we all said we wanted to start quickly once it was back under way. It probably helped us in a way because we hadn't started well. After the fire alarm we came back out and we were a lot better.
"The manager changed the formation when we restarted which helped. We were pressing the ball and Charlie [Wyke] got in and finished well. He reacted quicker than the defenders and put it away."
"We were on top after that and we were building some good momentum," he added. "We had a few chances and we were putting balls into their box, but their second goal came against the run of play. We knew we just had to keep doing what we'd been doing and thankfully we got the second goal.
"I think Joycey [Luke Joyce] is trying to claim the assist for my goal so we'll have to give him it. It was a bit of a weird shot, but it fell nicely for me to jump up and put away. I had to react quickly because there were a few players around me, but I got above them and got the touch to put it in."
After scoring three goals in his last eight games, he said: "I'm pleased with my form but I need to make sure I keep it going and maintain the consistency. I want to get more goals and help us towards this play-off push.
"My injury was really frustrating. I scored my first goal for the club then picked up the injury at the end of that game. It was really frustrating having to miss games because I was just getting to know the lads and understand how the manager wanted us to play.
"I've had a run of games now and I feel like I'm part of the team. I feel that what I can bring to the team can help. I'm getting more confident and getting better with each game I play.
"It definitely feels like a team which can make the play-offs. I got promoted with Bury last year and we did that on the last day of the season, so it's always possible. We've got good players and a good manager so hopefully we'll be able to do it."
"Saturday is a massive game," he admitted. "They're just above us so it will be important. I made my debut for Carlisle at Wycombe and even though we went down to ten men early on, we earned a good point. Hopefully we'll be able to get the three points at home."
"The manager changed the formation when we restarted which helped. We were pressing the ball and Charlie [Wyke] got in and finished well. He reacted quicker than the defenders and put it away."
"We were on top after that and we were building some good momentum," he added. "We had a few chances and we were putting balls into their box, but their second goal came against the run of play. We knew we just had to keep doing what we'd been doing and thankfully we got the second goal.
"I think Joycey [Luke Joyce] is trying to claim the assist for my goal so we'll have to give him it. It was a bit of a weird shot, but it fell nicely for me to jump up and put away. I had to react quickly because there were a few players around me, but I got above them and got the touch to put it in."
After scoring three goals in his last eight games, he said: "I'm pleased with my form but I need to make sure I keep it going and maintain the consistency. I want to get more goals and help us towards this play-off push.
"My injury was really frustrating. I scored my first goal for the club then picked up the injury at the end of that game. It was really frustrating having to miss games because I was just getting to know the lads and understand how the manager wanted us to play.
"I've had a run of games now and I feel like I'm part of the team. I feel that what I can bring to the team can help. I'm getting more confident and getting better with each game I play.
"It definitely feels like a team which can make the play-offs. I got promoted with Bury last year and we did that on the last day of the season, so it's always possible. We've got good players and a good manager so hopefully we'll be able to do it."
"Saturday is a massive game," he admitted. "They're just above us so it will be important. I made my debut for Carlisle at Wycombe and even though we went down to ten men early on, we earned a good point. Hopefully we'll be able to get the three points at home."
