Three points the key – Shevlin

COLERAINE striker Matthew Shevlin believes his start to the season is the best of his career to date…

The striker made it four goals from five games in all competitions as he netted a second-half brace in yesterday’s 3-0 success at Carrick Rangers.

After the Bannsiders’ back-to-back defeats to Larne and Cliftonville, Shevlin admits pocketing all three points was the most important thing.

“To be honest, we didn’t feel pressure because we knew we played well against Larne and we had some positives against Cliftonville,” the ex-Linfield striker said.

“It was about coming here, not thinking about those games and focus on getting all three points.

“I’m delighted with my performance and the two goals but as cliché as it sounds, it’s all about the three points.

“Skinner takes a lot of the attention off me when he plays as the centre halves cling and fight to him, so there are a lot of second balls to pick up.

“The first goal was a good ball into the box by Lyndon and it bounced below me and I knew I had to keep my head over it and get the contact right.

“I laughed to Oran after the game about the second one as I had a chance against Larne earlier in the season which I caught too well, but this one was more of a scuff and it ended up in the back of the net.”

The 22-year-old remarked on his extended run in the team since his January switch from Linfield and believes he feels at home on the Ballycastle Road.

“I’m getting a run of games but I’m 22-years-old so I should be able to play three fixtures in a week,” he confessed.

“It’s probably my best start to a league season so far.

“I’m happy to be playing well and scoring goals.

“Aaron Traynor had been joking with me saying he was our top league goalscorer with two goals so he might be quiet for a while now.

“I’ve been in the league for seven years now but there are a few seasons out of those seven where I could have played more games.

“I’m happy to be playing now and I feel at home here.

“It’s hard to believe I’ve been here nine months and I’ve played more games here already than I done in the previous two or three seasons combined.

“I feel Oran has stuck by me as my hold up play has come on and despite it not being a key part of my game, other managers have maybe focused too much on that.”

Shevlin will be hoping to add to his tally next Saturday against Dungannon Swifts but knows it won’t be an easy assignment at Stangmore Park.

“Dungannon will be a tough game, they play good football so it’ll be down to us to get a game plan and use the ball well,” he concluded.

“If a striker is playing all season they should be aiming for 20 goals so I’ll see how that goes.

“It’s all about taking one game at a time and I’ll see where it takes me.”