Hotshot Watson wants to carry on scoring for the Cobblers

Ryan Watson celebrates his first goal against Plymouth.

The best scoring run of Ryan Watson’s career could not have come at a better time for the Cobblers.

The 27-year-old had never netted more than two in a single season up until 18 months ago but after scoring seven times last term, he’s back on the goal trail again.

After fine solo efforts at MK Dons and Swindon, Watson made it three sweet strikes in a row when fizzing home a first-time shot to break the deadlock against Plymouth on Tuesday.

That was Town’s first home goal of 2021 and midway through the second-half they doubled their tally for the year with Watson again the man on target, prodding in from close-range.

“The first one just fell really nicely on my left foot,” said the midfielder. “It was within shooting range so I thought ‘why not?’ and I was quite confident on my left foot.

“I was very happy to see it go in and then the second, I was on the right spot and the ball landed to me and I managed to hook it in.

“I’m delighted with both goal and it’s been a good few weeks for me in terms of scoring – now I want to carry that on.”

Watson has scored four of Town’s seven goals in 2021 and his strikes on Tuesday grabbed a long overdue win that lifted them off the bottom.

“It’s a really good result for us,” added Watson. “I think we’ve a bit unlucky not take more points from some games but it was nice to get three points and I thought we deserved it.

“We’ve played OK and that’s been the frustrating thing. Saturday was disappointing and it’s been a disappointing few weeks because I don’t feel we’ve got what we have deserved.

“I don’t think we’ve played too badly in any game. We’ve just been making errors, individually and collectively as a team, and that’s cost us.

“I’m not sure if it’s a lack of concentration or what but on Tuesday it was there from everybody and I think the performance showed that.

“We’ve got to stay on it and make sure this isn’t a one-off because we need to kick-on.”

Whilst Tuesday was a welcome victory, it has by no means dragged Cobblers out of relegation trouble.

Still 22nd, they now play two of the division’s biggest clubs in Portsmouth and Charlton Athletic.

“It was massive to get that first win,” added Watson. “I don’t know if there’s been a lack of confidence but I think it’s been coming and we’ve sensed it.

“But we all understand the position we’re in – it’s not where we want to be.

“It’s not a nice place to be and it puts pressure on games, which makes it hard to enjoy, but t we need to fight for everything because nothing is going come easy. We’re all in together.

“Jon, Rico and Sammo have come in and we’ve all got to work together and get ourselves out of this position together.”