WE’LL PUT YOU ON CLOUD NINE
Goal ace Kurt is rejuvenated
KURT WILLOUGHBY says getting the No. 9 shirt on again has helped him show his killer instinct in front of goal – and the Chester striker says all the players want to give their fans a promotion party.
A tough test awaits Callum McIntyre’s side in today’s semi-final when Brackley Town come to town to take on the third-placed Blues.
But, equally, the Saints will know keeping England C striker Willoughby quiet will be one of their big tasks.
The former AFC Fylde and York City man has 27 goals this season and he’s loving being back in the centre of the pitch with the full backing of boss McIntyre.
“Obviously I have played in this league a few times before so I know, given the chance and opportunity, I will score – Chester gave me that,” Willoughby told The NLP.
“I just needed a run of games playing in my position and I know I will score. It’s been a breath of fresh air because there’s been a few seasons before that where I have been in and out, here and there. Coming here, they’ve believed in me and given me a chance. I feel I’ve taken it.
“It’s having the confidence and belief from the manager. If you’ve not played well for the first half you know you’re not getting dragged off. It’s having that confidence. Often it’s been in the second half where I’ve scored or maybe won the game.
“Having that for your manager and team-mates is just what I needed. Like I say, I had a couple of seasons in and out.
“Obviously I won promotion last season and chipped in with 12 goals but I was playing out wide. Don’t get me wrong, I did a job and scored goals but it wasn’t my absolute preferred position. It’s been nice playing to my strengths.”
Willoughby took the same route to promotion with York last season and he knows keeping relaxed is key.
“Having the experience of doing it before hopefully can help but I think we need to remain calm and just do what we do,” Willoughby said.
“We’re hard to beat, we score goals and that’s why we’ve ended up third in the league.
“You can never predict what’s going to happen. We’ve beaten and drawn with them this season so we can be confident from that aspect. But it’s just preparing for it now. We’re looking forward to it.”
And nothing would make the whole squad happy to deliver success for the fan-owned club.
“The fans are really passionate and we really want to give them something to cheer,” Willougby said.
“They’ve been with us all season, travelled well away and always been our 12th man. We just want to give them something back. The club should be higher up. They’re only going in the right direction.”