AFC Telford United heroes laud squad's mentality and fighting spirit after final joy

After falling 1-0 and 2-1 behind in Monday’s Southern Central Premier play-off final, three goals in the last 20 minutes ensured the Bucks gained promotion back to the National League North.

And full-back Fridye-Harper, whose goal put Telford 3-2 ahead, explained why the result was never in doubt.

“It’s been great since I joined. The fans have been brilliant, the lads and the staff have been brilliant,” he told the Shropshire Star. “We’re a comeback team. It was never in doubt.”

The full back added: “I wish we could have done it at home, but it’s even better doing it here in their own ground.”

“As soon as I got into the box I thought ‘I’ve got to hit it,’ and it was a clean strike from me, I can’t lie.

“To do it in front of all of the fans behind the goal I knew that I had to hit it, and even if the keeper had parried it Dyl (Allen-Hadley) was there to get the rebound.”

And substitute Hilton, who added the fourth goal in stoppage time, shared his team-mate’s optimism throughout an up-and-down afternoon for the Bucks.

“I was speaking to Emma (Kyre, Telford sports psychologist) before I came on and she was telling me that I was going to score today,” the winger said. “As soon as I came on I just felt it, and I thought yeah I’m going to get a goal here.”

Hilton added: “The lads that started, the lads that were on the bench and all of the staff have just been unbelievable all season.

“Even when we were 1-0 at half time everyone in the changing room knew we were going to come back and win it.

“Days like this are why I joined the club without a doubt.

“The fans have been absolutely brilliant today and all season. They’ve stuck with us right until the end and I’m buzzing to get over the line for them.”