All about the team for on-fire Hoskins as he eyes 20-goal haul
Sam Hoskins is setting his sights on breaking the 20-goal barrier this season - but insists team success for the Cobblers is more important than any personal achievement.
The Town striker continued his remarkable run of form on Saturday, volleying home his 12th goal of a fruitful campaign to rescue a 1-1 draw with Newport County.
Hoskins is now just one goal shy of his career-best tally of 13 goals - and the season is just a third of the way through.
He is well on course to comfortably breach the magical 20-goal barrier, and admits he now expects to do that.
But Hoskins is just focused on producing the goods so the team can stay in the promotion hunt.
Asked it is now ‘a formality’ that he will score 20 goals, the former Yeovil man admitted: “I would like to think so.
"But as long as my goals keep contributing to the team and getting points on the board, that is the main thing for me.
“Long may that continue."
Hoskins made his first start since October 8 on Saturday, having recovered from illness and injury.
And although he had to wait until the stoppage time to make his mark, he was delighted to be back in the goals.
"It was quite frustrating on Saturday,” admitted the club’s longest-serving player.
“I didn't have too many impact chances, and there was maybe one I should have done better with midway through the second half.
"But it was nice to get on the scoresheet and earn us a good point in the end
"As long as I can keep scoring and helping the team, that is the plan."
Hoskins’ finish for his goal was from the top drawer, doing superbly to keep the ball down and fire it into the bottom corner from Akin Odimayo’s knock down.
It certainly impressed manager Jon Brady, who wasn’t a stranger to hitting the target during his career either.
"He sniffed that goal out brilliantly,” declared the Town boss.
"Instead of running in on the top line he dropped off, and sense where the ball was going to be.
"It was brilliant technique to keep that shot down, it really was
"You don't realise how hard that was to hit that on the laces, on the volley, and keep the ball down.
"That goal is a mark of a striker who is really in good form."