Ben Tomlinson signing boost competition for places at Worsksop Town

Worksop Town manager Craig Parry believes competition for places is vital after Ben Tomlinson returned to the club after nine years away.
Vaughan Redford has seven goals for Worksop this season.Vaughan Redford has seven goals for Worksop this season.
Vaughan Redford has seven goals for Worksop this season.

Tomlinson, who earnt a move to then-League Two side Macclesfield Town from the Tigers, signed for Worksop from rivals Frickley Athletic to bolster their attacking options.

The Tigers are the league’s third-joint highest scorers – netting 20 goals in seven games – and now boast a forward line who have a range of weapons within their arsenal: Tomlinson brings pace and strength; Gavin Allott is a superb target man; Mikey Dunn is skilful; Vaughan Redford brings aggression and Aaron Sennett-Neilson is technically-gifted on the flanks.

Parry, whose style of play is heavily attack-minded, believes that the vying for places is a positive factor for his side.

Mikey Dunn in action against St Neots. Pics by Lewis Pickersgill.Mikey Dunn in action against St Neots. Pics by Lewis Pickersgill.
Mikey Dunn in action against St Neots. Pics by Lewis Pickersgill.

“With Ben, it brings us another option; competition is vital for the squad,” he continued.

“I am very pleased to get Ben over the line; he is a player who I have admired for quite a while and he is a player who has a big affiliation with the club.

“It is pleasing to have those options up there because everyone will be needed at different times in different games – no-one is guaranteed to be on the team sheet.

“From minute one, I have always wanted to carry 16-18 competitive players at any time. I want to be able to change the side to suit any game and I want players to come in – via any suspensions, injuries, opportunities or lack of form – and make the side just as strong.

“We like to play on the front foot and we want to score as many goals as we can, so to do that we need the right tools in the box to be able to do that – there is no point in just preaching that and not being able to deliver it.

“We feel that every forward we have on board adds something a little bit different; whether that’s in their personalities, ability, age, experience, preferred foot or whether one is a quick player and the other is a battering ram.

“This means that everyone is a little bit different in our toolbox, we just need to make sure that we use the right combination in the right games to get the best possible result.”

The arrival of Tomlinson also saw the departure of Luke Hinsley, who has left Sandy Lane to join Belper.