Tomlinson targets perfect 10 for Mac

BEN Tomlinson has set himself a target of 10 goals, as he looks to turn his frustrating first season in the professional ranks around.

The Dinnington-based striker joined Macclesfield Town in the summer, after making a name for himself in non league with Worksop Town.

While he remains the Silkmen’s top goalscorer with six to his credit this season, he’s only made 19 appearances after suffering two serious injuries.

“My aim is to get 10 goals this season,” he told the Guardian.

“I’m over halfway there.”

Tomlinson admits that the injuries – a broken foot, followed by a torn quad muscle – have left him frustrated in his first year as a professional.

The 22-year-old explained: “Breaking my foot was gutting, obviously.”

“I went for an MRI scan and they said it was a bad fracture, so I went to a specialist and had to rest and let it heal.”

“I had just about got back fit and was back in full training when I tore my quad, that was a bit unfortunate.”

“It’s been very frustrating, but it’s part and parcel of the game, I’ve just got to keep going and get as fit as I can.”

He returned to the Macclesfield line-up, albeit from the bench, in last week’s 1-0 loss away at Morecambe, and scored in Tuesday night’s 3-2 defeat by Northampton.

Still dangerously close to the drop zone, Macclesfield need at least another 20 points to finish the season on a high according to their young frontman.

“Our aim was to stay up, but you can’t have that as your main aim for a season really, so we need to get to 50 points and kick on from there,” he said.

He says he’s settled well into life in the football league, and that claim is backed up by evidence.

National headlines boosted his profile when he bagged a goal after just 6.4 seconds against Morecambe earlier in the season.

But the former Worksop Town dangerman, who commutes from Dinnington to training every day, doesn’t think he’s changed much.

“I’m still the same player, all my jobs are the same as a player, I’m just playing in a different team at a different level.”

“Obviously I’m improving as a player though, playing alongside professionals.”

“I’m enjoying it, it’s great to be playing football every day, it’s every lad’s dream and I’m thankful for the opportunity.”

“Everything is a little bit faster, a little bit more perfected.”

“But I’ve settled well at Macclesfield, they’re a great bunch of lads and we have quite a lot of banter.”