Tuesday's skipper pleased to be back playing
Striker Jon Shaw was all smiles after his return to action saw him skipper the Town to a 3-1 FA Trophy victory over Dorchester on Tuesday.
The front-man provided first-half strikes for Dan Walker and JJ O’Donnell and, having been out of the side through injury since early November, the former Gateshead man was delighted to be back and complete 90 minutes against the Magpies.
“Ninety minutes was probably more than I could have asked to be honest,” said the Hatters’ stand in leader for the evening.
“I expected to play a little bit less but I felt good and obviously the early goals getting us out in front made it a little bit more comfortable that I could stay out there. Good to be a part of it again, good to have the captain's band and another win as well, so it's been a good night and I've really enjoyed it.”
With Shaw one of eight changes made to the starting 11 from the previous fixture, the striker was quick to praise his team-mates about the competitiveness inside the dressing room for those sort after starting shirts.
“We are a good squad, it makes a good point that we're not a first team, reserve team, development squad kind of club, everybody is knocking on the door all the time,” said for former Sheffield Wednesday man.
“Yes there are certain players that will play but that's because they are playing well, you have to wait for your chance and tonight nobody has done themselves any harm in getting in the side or on the bench for Saturday.”
The 29-year-old hit-man played a matured role in the FA Trophy triumph and has drowned praise upon his team-mates who remain influential in the sides progression through this congested period.
“Everybody is impressing,” said a beaming Shaw. “That gives the manager the opportunity to rest a few people and keep them fresh in this busy period. In the next 20 days or so we will end up playing five or six games so it’s good to get the fresh legs out there and the young lads as well.”
With the Hatters progressing in two cup competitions and with games in hand over their promotion rivals in the Blue Square Bet Premier it’s a good time to be a Town player.
“It's a great position to be in,” Town's number nine said. “Come January 6th we could have played against a good Championship side, been on a good cup run, making progression in the Trophy and near the top of the league.
“We're still in touch, we're only six points behind with a game in hand and it puts us right in the mix. We have got games that we have to start winning, games where we have to stop making silly mistakes, we know that, once we've eradicated these issues there's no reason we can’t kick on and have a good run.”