Josh Vela: Curtis Main’s goal can open Shrewsbury floodgates
Shrewsbury Town midfielder Josh Vela believes Curtis Main’s first Salop strike in midweek could be the catalyst for a run of goals for the striker.
In the 4-2 win over MK Dons on Tuesday, Main stepped up to take Town’s second penalty of the game and get his first goal for the club since joining in January.
It took him four games to get there and after a goalless six-game loan spell at Shrewsbury in 2013 for Main, Vela now hopes this strike could propel him on to the scoresheet more often.
“It’s massive for him,” Vela said.
“He’s been a real focal point and got a couple of assists but for a striker it’s big to get goals.
“For him to get his that will give him a lot of confidence and hopefully he can carry that on and get a few more before the end of the season.
“They love scoring goals so it doesn’t matter how they come.”
Coach David Longwell has praised Main for his work in linking up the play with his team-mates, but also believes the goal will give him added impetus going forward.
“In his first two games he assisted in them but goalscorers want to score goals,” Longwell said.
“He’s been really good for the team and brought a different dimension. He has a real desire, hunger and aggression.
“He links the game up well but strikers want to score. He’s played well and getting that goal is great for him, it gives him extra confidence.”
Ollie Norburn handed Main the penalty, despite being the designated taker, and Longwell added: “That shows how unselfish he is as a captain that he gave him the penalty. He just wanted him (Main) to get that first goal. That epitomises him, he wanted to do it and gave him the ball. It’s great from him to do that, but Ollie will be our penalty taker.”
