Watson eager to kick on after memorable maiden strike

Having never previously scored in senior football, the 22-year-old opened his account in memorable fashion during Tuesday’s Johnstone’s Paint Trophy first round tie.

Shortly after half-time, with his side level at 1-1 against Colchester, Watson picked the ball up in his own half, drove forward, skipped past several challenges and then lashed into the bottom corner from 20 yards, giving Elliot Parish no chance.

The Leicester City loanee said afterwards: “I’m obviously delighted with the goal and it was even better that we got the win and made it through to the next round.

“When I was running it had opened up for me so I just carried on going and I then saw I was close enough to goal to have a shot. I tried my luck and thankfully it went in!

“It’ll definitely give me more confidence. I feel I need to add that to my game and chip in with a few more goals from midfield. I’ve done that against Colchester and we’ve got the win.

“The lads showed good spirit especially when they equalised so late on and then Marc came on and got the winner.”

Cobblers boss Chris Wilder was equally delighted with the strike, adding: “It was a great goal from Ryan.

“I’m delighted for him – that’s the reason why we brought him to the club. He brings that powerful driving midfield play, and hopefully that’ll give him the confidence to push on.”

Watson is currently in his second loan stint at Sixfields having had his previous spell cut short when he picked up a cruciate ligament injury.

The box-to-box midfielder is keen to prove himself this time around as he tries to nail down a regular starting spot with the likes of Joel Bryom, Jason Taylor and Paul Corry all competing against each other.

“I’ve just got to concentrate on my own game and keep playing like the way I have,” he added.

“Hopefully I’ll get myself in the team more and then if I do get in the team I want to keep my place and stay there.

“Of course I want to prove myself here. It was very frustration going back to Leicester with the injury last season but I’m back now and I’m keen to kick-on.

“My first game we got beaten and the draw away at Accrington lifted us a bit and now Tuesday’s win will give us a big lift for Saturday so hopefully we can continue and take that into the game against Dagenham.”

Northampton will discover their JPT second round opponents when the draw takes place on Saturday morning. The Cobblers have been placed in the south east section which means possible opponents for the next round include Crawley, Dagenham & Redbridge, Gillingham, Luton, Millwall, Southend and Stevenage, and Watson is keen to take the competition seriously.

He added: “For us we want to do well in the competition and go as far as we can. It would be brilliant to play at Wembley and I think all the lads are keen to do that and push on in this competition.”