Striker adds Town's fourth goal
David Ball was in buoyant mood after Saturday’s home win against Newport County, as the striker returned to the starting eleven and got his side’s fourth goal of the afternoon.
The victory saw the Cod Army move up to first position in League 2 and sit two points ahead of nearest rivals Oxford, Chesterfield and Rochdale respectively.
The Town striker has been in and out of Graham Alexander’s side all season, as well as an injury hampering his progress.
Speaking after the 4-1 win, Ball said: “I’m delighted to get back into the side and get a goal, but obviously the win is the most important thing and it’s nice to be top!
County were reduced to ten men after only two minutes as defender Robbie Willmott was given his marching orders after blocking Steven Schumacher’s goal bound strike with his hand, but Ball felt Justin Edinburgh’s side responded well.
“We scored the penalty and they went down to ten men and we thought we’d be in control, but to give credit to them, they came at us and we were a bit sloppy, but the second half we changed that”.
Midfielder Steven Schumacher opened the scoring on four minutes from the penalty spot, before doubling his advantage after the restart. The former Bury man then bagged his hatrick on the hour mark, but Ball rounded off proceedings after 78 minutes.
“Schuey got three and I’m delighted for him. He’s been wanting to get on the score sheet for ages, and for me to get on it as well is really good”.
After impressing yesterday, Ball now hopes he can tie down a regular starting berth in Alexander’s team: “I played five games at the start of the season and managed to get a few goals then, but I’ve been in one game and out a couple, but hopefully now I’ll get a run in the team. Obviously though, I’m gutted for Jamille Matt who picked up an injury midweek. He sent me a text before the game which is really nice and it shows we’ve got good camaraderie in this group”.
With Town not in league action now until the 16th November when they travel to Northampton, attention now turns to the cup competitions.
Gloucester will be the opponents on Saturday afternoon in the first round of the F.A Cup, before Carlisle visit Highbury the following Wednesday in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy.
Ball added: “The FA Cup is brilliant and everyone wants to play in it and hopefully we can get through a few rounds and get a big club which would be nice”.