ALFIE TO KEEP ON RAMMING

Star winger says he’s no one-season wonder

ALFIE PAXMAN says showing he hasn’t suffered with a bout of second season syndrome at Ramsgate was his big personal goal this year.

The 20-year-old leftside winger scored 24 times for the Bostik South club in his debut campaign, but already has 23 goals so far this season with plenty of games left to play.

Former Dover Athletic man Paxman was determined to push his game on and prove he isn’t a flash in the pan.

And he says he’s feeling more and more comfortable in men’s football as time goes on.

“My main aim was to try and get more consistent with my goals and I’ve been doing that,” Paxman told The NLP. “You always have to try and improve.

Determined

“Last year was obviously new to me; I hadn’t played much men’s football previously, so I’ve felt even more comfortable this year. I know the lads better, they trust me and I’ve just been trying to keep doing what I have been doing.

“I had to prove I wasn’t a one-trick pony, kind of thing. I’ve focused on trying to improve myself physically.

“I’m not blessed with height and stature, so I’ve tried to improve myself in other aspects. I’ve been going to the gym, eating as well as I can, keeping myself fit as I can – to give myself that more of an edge so people see me and may underestimate me, but soon realise I’m a bit more of handful.”

Paxman played for Dover in the National League, but was always keen to get as much game time as possible.

“I felt like I needed to play in order to get experience and prove myself,” he said.

Learning

“I felt my best bet was to give it a go at Ramsgate. They’ve given me a chance to do that.

“Playing men’s football is so different, there’s so much more to it with the way you think about the game. It’s made me a lot wiser as to how to play. I’ve definitely improved a lot, and I’m enjoying it.”

That enjoyment will improve, he says, when Ramsgate get back to winning ways after a tricky run of ten games without victory.

“Sometimes runs happen like this and then you get runs of good fortune,” he said. “All the issues we feel we can address, we’re working on. It’s just a matter of time and I’m sure we will come through it.”