Davies is fired up

ON TARGET . . . Athletic's new signing Dan Gardner tries a strike at the Salisbury goal

JOHN Sheridan highlighted the rough-and-tumble approach of striker Craig Davies, as Athletic hit the goals trail again last night.

While not on the score sheet himself in the comfortable 3-0 win at Salisbury FC, Davies put himself about to good effect in a first run-out since his return to the club this summer.

Ryan Flynn's early strike and two late efforts from in-form forward Tope Obadeyi were Athletic's reward for a promising showing, in a game where on-trial goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell had very little to do.

"There was a lot of energy about Craig and he unsettles teams," said Sheridan, who side are in the middle of a four-day stay at the University of Bath that also takes in a game bahind closed doors against Swindon tomorrow (noon kick-off).

"He is fiery and just needs goals to get him going. Hopefully, he can get a couple in the pre-season games to add to his confidence.

"He doesn't give defenders a minute's peace.

"The new players coming in have to get used to us as well and the way that we play.

"With the four strikers we have got at the moment, there is a lot of pace and energy about them.

"I like my strikers to be scoring goals and Tope managed to get a couple again after scoring last Saturday."

Aaron Amadi-Holloway and Darius Osei were the other strikers to feature last night and Sheridan was happy with the chances his men fashioned against opponents from the Evo-Stik League, South-West Division.

"The only thing I am really bothered about at the moment is getting game-time and fitness and we put a good shift in," Sheridan added.

"People got around the pitch and it was a good game for us on a decent surface.

"We could have made things easier for ourselves. But it's still very early days and there is a lot of rustiness.

"We played quite well, moved the ball when we had to and created opportunities.

"Three goals, with none against, is always a good sign no matter who you are playing.

"It's what I expected and it's worked out well for us.

"There were a couple of players who got longer than 45 minutes, but it was my aim to field two teams here and also against Swindon if I can do it.

GAME-TIME

"I want to give everyone as much game-time as I can and to even a lot of things out.

"We haven't done any defensive work really and the shape of the team and formation we are going to play is something we will look at in the coming days and next week."

ATHLETIC will face Newcastle United's under-21s at home in the group stage of the Checkatrade Trophy, after the draw was finalised.
The other teams in the group are Sky Bet League Two duo Port Vale and Crewe.

Fixture details have yet to be announced, but the first round of matches takes place on the week of Monday, August 28.