Marine
boss Kevin Lynch says he is now starting to see the fighting spirit in
his side he has longed for.
The Mariners battled to an impressive 1-0 win at Retford United on
Saturday to give Lynch’s men a third consecutive win.
Three
points in Nottinghamshire catapulted the Whites to eighth in the
UniBond Premier Division
table though midweek results elsewhere
means they now lie in 11th.
Lynch said: “It was really
pleasing to keep a clean sheet in the win at Retford. Of late we have
been conceding goals and it was also a battling perfor-mance.
“They did try and rough us up a little bit, they are
a big, physical side who left their foot in.
“A few games ago, we may have caved in to physical
pressure, some of the players weren’t up for the
fight.”
Marine’s
resurgence has been in no small part to the scoring exploits of star
striker Jamie Rainford and the 22-year-old was handed a contract by the
Arriva Stadium side this week.
Lynch added: “It is important
for the club to be able to tie these players down but for the players
themselves it provides certainty. “For us to give Jamie a
contract just
shows how well he is doing. To be rewarding players like Jamie, and
others, also shows how Marine are progressing.
“Jamie’s form this season has been
absolutely devastating. His goal
to game ratio is incredible but is just reward for the hard work he has
put in. I am really pleased that Jamie has told me that he is enjoying
his football at Marine and wants to stay and his goal record fully
justifies him signing on contract terms.”
Marine chairman Paul Leary added:
“Jamie
has proved this season that he is a really good striker and his record
so far speaks for itself. Goalscorers are hard to come by these days
and Jamie is proving to be a gem. He has become a real favourite with
the fans and I am pleased for them and especially for Jamie himself
that he has signed a contract committing his future to
Marine.”
The Mariners make the long trip to Whitby Town on Saturday,
kick off 3pm.
In search of a fourth straight win, Lynch says team spirits
have never been higher.
Whitby are third bottom in the division.
