Goalkeeper Callum Roberts says ‘it means a lot’ to get the first clean sheet of the season in Wednesday night’s 2-0 win over Bridlington.Â
It was the first time the Anchors had kept a clean sheet in any sort of game since the 1-0 win over Stocksbridge Park Steels back on April 8th.
Roberts said: “It means a lot, especially recently we have went into the back end of Pre-Season and the start of the season we have just been making individual errors. Whether that be me or anyone in the team it’s those errors that have cost us.”
“Continuing into the season I think we have started to kick them out of our game now and defensively I think we could have had another half hour (against Bridlington) and not concede. I didn’t feel threatened whatsoever for longer than five minutes but every team has that.”
It was a well deserved victory for the Anchors but it did take patience to make the breakthrough. Following a succession of gilt-edged chances, heroic blocks and a disallowed ‘worldie’ from Thompson, they did make the break the deadlock through Michael Fowler.
Bridlington did not seriously threaten an equaliser before substitute Elliott Beddow sealed the win.
On the game overall, Roberts said: “It was a difficult game, another game with plenty of chances for our side and we could have come out of it four or five and I would like to say nil.
“Looking back, the sticky conditions, it’s sometimes hard on that pitch when it’s dry to get down and play and sometimes we can get frustrated.
“I think the reaction into the second half we came out with a bit more purpose and a bit more energy levels. I think our fitness began to show towards the end. They were starting to make more errors as they got more tired and I think the result is fair.”
Stockton Town now face their first Bank Holiday weekend of the season. First they make the trip to Ingfield on Saturday to face Ossett United, that was a successful visit last season as it ended 3-0 to Stockton Town.
They follow that up with a home game against newly-promoted Newton Aycliffe on Monday.
Looking ahead, Roberts said: “They are games where we need to pick up points and I think we have more than enough quality in the starting XI and the squad. Something that we strengthened in last year as we have again. We have got enough on the bench to start in the majority of teams in our league.
“We are going into it very confident. I think there will be other teams who will struggle to rotate with injuries and fitness levels. I think some of the lads here act more professional than some professionals I have worked with in terms of working on themselves away from the club.”
