FA Cup hero Carey: I dreamt about scoring penalty

Midfielder Carey remained the coolest man in stadium not once but twice to convert from 12 yards and help his home town club progress to the third round where they will face Championship high-flyers Middlesborough at the Riverside Stadium.

Carey said, “It was a crazy moment to be honest but I was prepared for it. I dreamt about it the night before and I knew what I had to do.

“I tried to remain focused and make good contact with the ball and luckily the ‘keeper went the wrong way. In extra-time I changed sides. I told the lads in the middle what way I was going to put it and the ‘keeper went the wrong way once again.

“I just knew I was going to take a penalty today. I was in the car with Zac (Attwood) before the game and I told him I would score a penalty today.”

Ironically it was Attwood who was bundled over at the start of the second half to give Carey his first opportunity from the spot.

Carey added, “I think Zac keeps hoping I will miss a penalty one day because he fancies them, but there was no way it was going to be today. I wasn’t going to miss tonight.”

Of the tremendous home support, Carey said, “It was amazing. It was 4,000 but it felt like 30,000. They were incredible and it was just a fantastic atmosphere to play in. It was something special.”

The midfielder was also unfazed at the prospect of their long trip north to face Middlesborough on their home turf.

He added, “This is what the Cup is all about. I’m sure the boss will have a game plan and we will go there and give it our best shot - we have nothing lose. We have a good, confident group of players and we will not be afraid about facing them - bring it on, this is the FA cup.”