Upset Townsend bids to prove boss wrong (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Upset Townsend bids to prove boss wrong

9:51am Thursday 14th February 2008 in Football By Nick Mashiter

Football: Craig Townsend says he will prove Devizes Town boss Paul Thompson wrong again after being dropped following a two-goal salvo.

The 26-year-old striker was blasted by Thompson last week for a blunt showing but responded with a brace in the 4-1 win over Chard on Saturday.

Yet he was dropped to the bench as Devizes beat Calne Town 2-1 at Nursteed Road on Tuesday, with new signing Daine O'Connor impressing in his place.

Now, with Toolstation League Premier Division leaders Truro City set to visit on Saturday, Townsend is desperate to play.

He said: "I was really disappointed at being dropped and with Daine here it does give you a lot of determination. Dan Sloan has got to come back as well and Adam Giles is here, so there is a lot of competition."

Thompson hit out at his mis-firing strikers last week after their Wiltshire Senior Cup defeat to Calne and Townsend says it provided extra motivation.

"The manager texted me on Saturday to say he was pleased to be proved wrong and it definitely fired me up after what he said," he said.

Thompson, who brought former Calne frontman O'Conner to Devizes last week, is glad his outburst has helped the side score six goals in two games.

"As a manager you have to find a way of getting a reaction and a spark from somewhere," he said.

"If it means saying there was no quality up front so be it. Because we have scored six goals in two games and I have done my job. I've got no problems if my centre forwards come to me and say here are two goals, get stuffed'."

Now Thompson is tipping his confident side to topple wealthy leaders Truro.

He said: "Nursteed Road is a fortress and they are coming off the back of a defeat. I really fancy us to get something."