SLOUGH Town star Scott Davies admits he had almost forgotten what it felt like to score after opening his account for The Rebels with a wonder goal on Saturday, writes Rob Stevens.
Davies, 31, had not scored in 73 previous appearances for the club but bagged his first goal in a Slough shirt with a strike from inside his own half during the 1-1 draw with Eastbourne Borough at Arbour Park.
The former professional is no stranger to scoring from behind the halfway line. His similar effort for Wealdstone was voted the fourth best goal in the FA Cup during the 2015-16 season and he boasts two long range efforts for Reading in reserve team matches earlier in his career.
The Aylesbury-born midfielder kept his promise to celebrate with Slough goalkeeping coach Trent Phillips, who had been given him some stick over a lack of goals, but he admits he would have been happier with all three points.
Davies told the Observer: “I’m absolutely delighted to have scored and got off the mark for the club. It has taken 74 games which isn’t good enough to be honest but hopefully they’ll be more goals to come now.
“My position on the pitch has changed as I used to play a little further forward when I was younger but, even approaching the age of 32, I know I’ve got to add more goals.
“I had almost forgotten what it felt like to score. It’s always nice to do so but I never get carried away because a win and three points is more enjoyable.
It's only taken 74 games...
— Slough Town FC (@sloughtownfc) January 6, 2020
THIS is the moment we've all been waiting for from @scottdavies1988! 😍#OneSlough #MondayMotivation
🎥: @fc_video pic.twitter.com/3rau4nKM6t
TWEET: Slough Town midfielder Scott Davies scores with a wonder goal from inside his own half in the 1-1 draw with Eastbourne Borough on Saturday. Tweet: Slough Town FC
“I need to score more goals, but I’m used to getting quite a few assists and the main thing is the team is scoring and winning games.”
Recalling the goal in the National League South fixture, he said: “The keeper came out and cleared the ball with his weaker foot and I was hoping it would drop to me. Fortunately, I took a good touch and you don’t have to invite me to hit it from there.
“It might be frustrating for other players that see a pass on but I wouldn’t turn down the opportunity.
“Keepers do sometimes switch off and aren’t expecting it, but the flight of the ball made it a goal – I hit it clean.
“Trent had been giving me some stick about when I would score so I kept a promise and celebrated with him.
“It’s a nice feeling but I’m one of a few Slough players on the pitch that have the ability to do that.”
Davies added: “I’m disappointed not to get the win because I felt like it was a game we should be winning especially when you go ahead. We should’ve managed the game better.
PHOTO: Scott Davies admits he and the Rebels would be devastated if they failed to secure a spot in the play-offs after an impressive first half to the season.
“We had injuries but that’s no excuse as everyone in the squad is more than capable and worthy of the shirt.
“We had chances to win it but have been more clinical in the final third this season.
“But we could’ve lost the match as well so we might look back on it at the end of the season as a good point.”
Slough are targeting the play-offs this season and currently stand in fourth position in the table, outside of the top three on goal difference and eight points behind leaders Wealdstone but with a game in hand.
Davies is delighted with the star the Rebels have made and admits it would be devastating if they failed to secure at play-off sport come the end of the season.
He said: “If you said to us in August that we would be where we are now, we would’ve bitten your hand off.
“The lads have been fantastic as well as the management and the supporters, who always turn out in their numbers. They were a little quite on Saturday which is unusual but its up to us to get them behind us.
“Hopefully we can now go on a run of form and get some momentum building, get some wins at home and vital points away.
“Havant & Waterlooville (next Wednesday at 7.45pm) sticks out as a big task and a crunch match for us after what happened down there the last time.
“We know that there are tough games ahead and below us are teams that are on a run now, but we would be devastated if we didn’t get into the play-offs at least.
“We’ve got enough strength and quality within the squad to go on a run and finish in the play-offs, and it would be brilliant to finish in the top three.”
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