Goal machine Gilchrist eyes 30 for season
SOUTHPORT’S record signing Jason Gilchrist went top of the the goalscoring charts in the Vanarama National League following Southport’s 3-0 away victory over Gainsborough last weekend.
Gilchrist overtook former Preston North End and Stoke striker Jon Parkin while on the way to a treble on Saturday, and after bagging his second hat-trick of the season for Kevin Davies’ side - he also took home the match ball on his debut in the 3-3 draw with Tamworth in December the striker challenged himself to reach 30 goals for the season.
“It’s good to go top of that table, it’s what I want to do and where I want to be,” the former FC United man said.
“I just want to get as many goals as I can and help the team out as much as I can.
“For me the season’s gone well. My target for the start of the season was to get 25 goals, I’m not far off that now, so I’m hoping I can push on now and, who knows, see if I can go and get 30!”
But it wasn’t just his own goalscoring heroics that pleased the 23-year-old.
He was also delighted with the victory that moved the Sandgrounders four points clear of the relegation zone and just two points away from FC United, with his previous club sitting in the tophalf.
“We’re really pleased with the performance, obviously it’s good to get the goals in.
“But I think it was a good team performance. The lads did really well.”
And speaking about his transition into the squad, which has seen a host of new arrivals as well as several outgoings since Davies took charge, he believes the Haig Avenue outfit are beginning to gel. “I’ve settled in really well. I get on well with all the other lads. “There’s quite a few new lads that have come in that I know from previous clubs and I’ve got on well with everybody really. “We’re becoming quite a close knit group now, so I think we’re going to do well.” Gilchrist also paid tribute to the effect former England forward Davies is having on his career as they join forces at Southport. “I’m really enjoying working with Kevin, it’s one of the things that really attracted me to Southport, with his playing career, it can only help me really. “He’s done so well over the years I thought he may be able to teach me a few things and it’s clearly working!”