Needham Market striker John Sands is looking to repay the faith shown in him by Marketmen boss Richard Wilkins – with a shedload of goals.
Sands has been out injured for almost all this season after suffering nerve damage in his left foot and leg.
He returned to action on Saturday as a substitute at home to Met Police. In the short space of time he was on the pitch, he had a goal disallowed for offside, before hammering home the equaliser late on.
It was just the return Sands was hoping for.
Tonight, Needham entertain Leatherhead in a Bostik Premier clash at Bloomfields.
“That did feel good on Saturday and I’m feeling good in myself,” Sands said.
“I perhaps could have got through the 90 minutes on Saturday, but it was best to take it sensible.
“It’s been very frustrating for me and I’m really grateful to Richard Wilkins for keeping faith with me. I will look to return that faith with goals.”
Sands certainly knows where the net is and Needham will welcome him back with open arms, having won only two of their last eight league fixtures – a slide that sees them currently second bottom in the table.
Only one team goes down from Bostik Premier, but with basement dwellers Worthing showing much improved form, having won two of their last three league games, no-one is safe from the drop, including Wilkins’ side.
“I think we will be fine,” said a confident Sands.
“Our squad is getting a few injured players back now and it is starting to look strong.
“We have plenty of good players and experienced players.”
Such is the tightness at the bottom of Bostik Premier that victory for the Marketmen tonight could see them leapfrog a Leatherhead side who are five places above them.
Leatherhead’s French defender, Yannis Ambroisine yesterday joined National League side, Whitehawk and the Surrey side have only won two in seven league games. They haven’t played a competitive fixture for almost two weeks because of postponements and opponents in Trophy action.
Manager Sammy Moore made his Football League debut for Ipswich Town at the age of 19.
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