Striker wants goals for Christmas

The difference between a mid-table team to one that is chasing promotion is often the men scoring the goals, writes Mark Ridgway.

Goals make the difference, just ask the Evo-Stik NPL First Division North’s outfit's striker Jamie Henders. Laird’s leading man has already registered 15 times this season and last time The Cammells were in action at Kirklands, against Clitheroe, it was the Liverpudlian who was on hand to level the scores from the spot in the eventual 3-2 win.

With Christmas fast approaching the frontman sees a great opportunity to add to his goal tally and says he's content with his current form which saw him score in both the recent wins over Clitheroe and Bamber Bridge.

He said: "I’m really enjoying my football at the minute as I’m contributing to the team well. I’m not exactly scoring for fun at the minute, I wish I was, but I’m contributing so I can’t complain."

Henders hit the ground running on his second spell at Laird in August when he netted a hat-trick at Ramsbottom, and he never really looked back.

"I’m happy with my form at the moment and whilst the goals tally is satisfying, I know I could have had even more. I’m 100 per cent committed to the cause here at Lairds and just focused on doing well for Tony and the lads."

Tony Sullivan’s men have now won three on the bounce and Henders reckons the spirit in the camp is positive with the Lairds planning to take on Ramsbottom United at home on Saturday. While many clubs are famously banning Christmas parties, the striker revealed there was no party ban at Kirklands on Saturday after the players got together to let their hair down.

He added: "The spirit in the club is fantastic, it’s just a shame the Mossley game was postponed so we couldn’t celebrate our night out with another win. Hopefully the Christmas period brings success on the pitch for the club as well as for myself."