Stick from Glenmen helped me score winner: Waterworth
LINFIELD striker Andrew Waterworth has revealed that he enjoys the stick he receives from Glentoran fans adding that when it stops he knows his days as a top Irish League player will be numbered.
Waterworth netted the winner in extra-time against his old club Glentoran in Tuesday’s County Antrim Shield quarter-final. Prior to his 97th minute strike to earn a 2-1 victory Waterworth missed a penalty and other opportunities much to the glee of visiting supporters who used to cheer him before his move from the Oval to Windsor Park in 2013.
It was Waterworth’s first start in some time playing alongside Michael O’Connor, who recently has been David Healy’s go to front man.
Others may have wilted after blazing a spot-kick over the bar. Waterworth kept going and kept showing and had the last laugh.
“The stick I get against the Glens just adds to the experience of a Big Two game. I was a Glens player and signed for the Blues so I can’t really complain,” said 32-year-old Waterworth.
“I actually enjoy it. The day you don’t get the stick is probably the day you’re finished.
“It all adds to the atmosphere and the players really thrive on that and it’s nice then when you score, you can stick it back up them.
“I thought it was going to be one of those nights. I haven’t started in about six weeks and I was a wee bit rusty. It was the first time in my life I’ve had cramp; I thought I’d pulled something.
“But I said to myself I need to have the desire to keep getting into the box. For the goal, when I saw Kirk Millar wide, I just tried to get to that front post area and thankfully it worked.
“When my header hit the crossbar I just thought ‘oh my God’ but when it came back I threw the studs at it and I was so relieved to see it go in because I owed the team with the amount of chances I missed.
“Sometimes you give everything and it’s just not to be and it’s your fault but other times it does happen for you and you can be the hero.”
On the penalty he said: “I was going to dink it because I’ve done that in my last two but I thought with the importance of the game I wouldn’t.
“I was so cross with myself for complacency. I apologised to the manager at the end of the 90 minutes but he said I owe him nothing and to just keep getting into the box.”
Waterworth has been a fixture in the Linfield side for most of his time there, scoring back to back hat-tricks to win the Irish League and Irish Cup in 2017. He admits it has been difficult being out but hopes he showed enough to keep his place for Saturday’s league trip to Dungannon.
“Michael and I complement each other. He likes to come short whereas I always want to play on the shoulder,” said Waterworth.
“I was disappointed to be dropped in the first place.
“I knew after the defeat against Ards I’d maybe get my chance but I’m a team player and it isn’t all about me. Hopefully after us beating Glentoran and me scoring it’s given the manager a headache.”