Linnets boss lauds impact of Pollard

NICK Matthews believes ‘you can’t sign’ what Kevin Pollard has brought to Burscough after the midfielder arrived for his third spell at the club in less than two seasons.

Pollard originally joined Linnets under the stewardship of Terry Green last term before returning for several appearances during the current campaign.

He then left for NWCFL Premier Division rivals Northwich Victoria until Matthews convinced him to spend the second-half of the season at Victoria Park.

Matthews, who worked with Pollard while a coach at Widnes, also brought popular defender Luke Gibson back to the club and the duo have helped Burscough to three wins from their last six matches.

“We’ve made a couple of important signings,” Matthews said with his side three points above the relegation zone and possessing a game-in-hand on bottom club Litherland REMYCA.

“We got Kevin back from Northwich Victoria, who when we had a bit of an uplift before he went to Vics, it was partly down to him. Like I said, he’s one of them players, Kevin, that you can’t replace.

“His experience, and his ‘win’ – he’s got the ‘win’ in him.

“You wouldn’t say, ‘Oh, what a footballer, absolutely outstanding’ but what he does, you can’t sign it. It’s brilliant. He did the job for us at Widnes so I brought him in and we brought [Gibson] back.

“He was a favourite here who I signed [during his] first-time [at the club as assistant manager in 2018] so them two are massive plusses.”

Matthews also praised young defender Mitchell Kinsella, who has won four and drawn one of his seven appearances this term.

“We’ve found a gem in Mitchell,” he added. “The kid’s probably only played about 30 games in his life!

“A big, 6ft2 lad with big curly hair. He isn’t a footballer but, wow, what a defender. He’s superb. He wins 99% of his headers, he’s brave, he tackles. He can’t actually kick a ball, and he’ll tell you that, but he’s so brave.

“Him and Gibbo have formed a really good centre-back partnership.”