Worth the wait for Collins (From Swindon Advertiser)

Worth the wait for Collins

6:00am Monday 19th November 2012 in Sport By Andy Warren

BACK IN THE GOAL ROUTINE: James Collins

STRIKER James Collins admitted his two goals in Town’s 4-1 victory over Yeovil had been a long time coming.

Despite scoring a hat-trick in the dramatic Capital One Cup victory earlier in the season the former Shrewsbury man had only netted three times in 16 league appearances going into Saturday’s game, but a goal in each half against the Glovers saw him go clear at the top of the club’s scoring charts.

The striker was also on a run of five games without a goal before he converted Joe Devera’s cross to double Town’s lead, and Collins was full of praise for the service he and his fellow forwards receive.

“I feel it has been a long time coming, but I was happy to get a brace and three points as well and it was a great victory,” he said.

“For the first one Joe Devera did very well to intercept it in our half and we have been working in training on getting across the defender and fortunately he put it in the right place and I managed to get across him and it went in.

“For the second one they had been pushing to get back into it because time was getting on, and they left a few gaps at the back and Raffa has found me with a great ball, and I have managed to shape it to find the net.”

“It is a great honour to be the top scorer, but I have got to thank the lads here for creating so many chances like the wingers and the central midfielders, as well my strike partner like Andy Williams.

“As long as we keep creeping up that table like we have then I know we will be fine.”

After Andy Williams was forced off with a knee injury Collins was paired with new signing Chris Martin, and the Republic of Ireland Under 21 international was impressed with what he saw.

“Chris is a very good player who has played at a very high level in the Premier League and the Championship, and he has only been here two or three days but you can see he has quality,” he said.

“It is easy to players who have a good brain, and he has a good first touch and was a little unlucky not to score today, but I think we did okay together.

“He did really well when he came on, and competition keeps you fresh which is what the gaffer likes.

“I was sad to see Benno (Paul Benson) go because he is a good player and a good friend of mine, but that is football, and if we have five strikers fit we have good firepower for the season.”

The win sent Town third in the League One table, and Collins believes his side have what it takes to stay there.

“The gaffer said to us after the game that if we carry on with the spirit and determination we have got, and our quality, then we are contenders to being up there at the end of the season,” he said.

“We have some good teams around us, like MK Dons who beat Tranmere on Friday night, but if we carry on and keep doing well we will be there or there abouts.”