Hatters are still ‘bouncing’

MIDFIELDER Sam Walker – who turned in a man-of-the-match display on his return to the County side – admitted that the Hatters were ‘bouncing’ after the thumping win.

Walker was handed a start alongside captain Paul Turnbull, with the duo outclassing a Rebels midfield led by former County skipper Harry Winter – capped with a long-range stunner by Turnbull to seal the big three points.

“The lads are really bouncing. It’s a big statement to make for us on the opening day, and I really enjoyed playing in the position I did next to Bully,” Walker said.

Walker was signed in the summer of 2017 by Gannon from champions Salford City, in a move which made a big statement to County’s promotion rivals at the time – although Walker went on to struggle in his first year at Edgeley Park, culminating in the former Halifax midfielder being substituted just 20 minutes into a league fixture before being sent out on loan to another former side, Curzon Ashton.

But Walker has been a staple of County’s pre-season campaign, and has self-admittedly returned from the summer break ‘looking and feeling much fitter’.

“I just refocussed over the summer, and told Jim in pre-season that I had my own goals that I want to achieve.

“I’m just really hungry to do whatever I can for the team.

“I haven’t really had a summer, I’ve just been working non-stop and I’m focussed on giving everything for this shirt.”

We know the backroom team and the staff will be focusing already on York and Southport, looking at the video highlights and seeing how we can break sides down.

“That’s a nice feeling to have as players.

“We’re all chomping at the bit for Tuesday and beyond now.”