ANTHONY Williams is about to get the champagne - but it may be another year before he sprays it in celebration.
Williams will be between the sticks for Hartlepool at Carlisle tonight, knowing nothing less than three points will suffice if Pool are to have any chance of reaching the play-offs.
Even if Pool win their remaining seven games, it may not be enough for a top-seven spot.
The former Blackburn keeper signed a new, two-year contract last Friday on the same day he was awarded the Nationwide Save of the Month award for a stunning double stop in Pool's defeat at York.
He will be presented with a magnum of champagne and admitted: "To be honest, I thought it was a wind-up when I found out the other day. But it's nice to be rewarded and recognised. I don't think I'll drink it though, I'll put it on the mantlepiece and wait for promotion!
"I am happy with how things are going. My contract was up in the summer and I could have been a little bit in limbo and it might have been a case of 'where do I go?'. But I am settled here, things are going well for me and I am more than happy to stay here.''
Williams and Pool took some stick at Rochdale on Saturday from their impatient fans, who were urging Pool forward for a late winner, but the keeper was quick to justify his actions.
"In the last five minutes, we were going forward and looking to score and they were going forward looking to score in the last few minutes,'' he said. "At that stage of the game you are going to take a point.
"We didn't want to go all out and lose the game 1-0. It's better to take something than nothing.
"Away from home we have conceded a few goals, but on Saturday we were solid. It was a solid performance at Rochdale and we looked like scoring. We both hit the post, so a point was probably fair.
"Rochdale are 11 points ahead of us with a game in hand, so obviously it was going to be difficult. I know it's late in the season and we have to win games but it was important that we didn't lose.
"I know there are only seven games left, so it is a case of needing the maximum now. But if we can pick up points then hopefully the teams around us will lose and drop points.
"Starting with Carlisle we are looking to go for it. If we get a draw there it would be a little disappointing. Saturday at Rochdale was a good draw, but that wouldn't be.''
Striker Anth Lormor is back at Pool after his loan spell ended at Shrewsbury.
"It's disappointing that Hartlepool won't let Tony stay for another month,'' said Shrewsbury manager Kevin Ratcliffe.
"It's even more disappointing as he won't be playing for them and still doesn't figure in their manager's plans. Tony was keen to stay for another month, he's done an excellent job for us.''
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