Reggie Lambe on his goal against St Albans in the FA Cup
We spoke to wide man Reggie Lambe shortly after full time following the 5-3 victory over St Albans City in the first round of the FA Cup on Sunday afternoon."It was an intense game," he said. "They obviously started well but we stuck to our game plan. I think we could have defended better but we did what we had to do in the end."
"Their first goal was a decent strike and that type of thing happens in the FA Cup," he continued. "He’s gone for it and it’s come off. If he tried it a few more times it would probably miss, but anything can happen in this competition.
"I thought we did well in the end to show character and keep pushing to get the victory."
On getting the job over the line, after a punishing 90-minute test, he said: "We came here and we knew the job we had to do. We worked for each other and pushed forward and, in the end, we showed the class and character we have.
"At half time we talked about how we thought we would come here and impose the game on them. They came out and got the first goal, we went in at 1-1, and we had to lift ourselves because we knew we had to come out and put a performance in to get the victory. They weren’t pushovers, we knew they would be a decent team, and we had to make sure we kept our heads."
His introduction just before the break took him into the unfamiliar role of right back but he reminded us afterwards that it was a position he'd played before for the manager.
"I came on to do that job against Doncaster earlier in the season," he said. "I think Tom [Miller]was feeling sick so I had it in my mind that I might have to come on at right back for this one as well.
"I got my head round it and when I did come on I think I was comfortable in that position. I have to admit that I did feel better when Tom came on and I got to go back to the wing though!
"It’s about showing the manager that I’m ready to get back in the team, whatever I'm asked to do. With us winning games and still being unbeaten it’s hard to break back in. I’ll take my chances when they come and keep encouraging the lads who are playing."
Talking about taking chances, he revealed that a chat with his room mate Jabo Ibehre the night before the game had been the foundation for the rather strange celebration which accompanied the big striker's first goal.
"We talked about the celebration in our room on Saturday night," he explained. "We decided to do the mannequin, to see if we could make it catch on, and I thought if I scored he would do it with me. I just made sure I got on the score sheet.
"I actually think I could have had another goal as well, but Jason Kennedy decided to have a shot instead. I can’t really be mad at him, but I would have liked another goal."
As for who he wants in the next round, he said: "I don’t really mind who we get. I don’t usually watch the draw because I like to just wait and see who we get.
"Whoever it is, I’ll be excited. There is a big buzz about the FA Cup - I was excited about coming here and I’m sure the other boys were as well. It’s a competition that everyone wants to do well in and every player wants to go as far as they can.
"Last year the club played Liverpool and Everton in the cups so we’ll keep trying to win games and you never know who you could get."
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