Two well-taken goals from rising star, Rocko Tamplin, earned Aylesbury United a deserved share of the spoils against Kidlington last weekend in a 2-2 draw.
The technically-gifted youngster is really starting to make his mark in the Pitching In Southern League Division One Central as he looks to help The Ducks climb the table.
They currently find themselves three places off the bottom of the table, but can draw strength from the fact that their three wins so far have come against AFC Dunstable, Waltham Abbey and North Leigh, whilst they also held Bedford Town to a goalless draw at the end of October.
“The standard of this League is high,” said Tamplin, who has previously turned out for Winslow United and Risborough Rangers. “There are a lot of strong teams and if you don’t go into the games with the right mindset or preparation, you’ll soon get found out and punished.
“We’ve beaten some of the top teams and also got the draw against Kidlington in our last game to add to the one against Bedford from a few weeks ago, so we certainly shouldn’t fear anyone at this level and we know what we are capable of.
“Our points’ tally and position definitely doesn’t match our performances. The games we’ve lost have been as a result of individual errors or switching off at crucial moments, but we learning all of the time.
“This is a new team, so there was always going to be that settling down period, but we’ve got undoubted ability all over the pitch.
“As for my own performances, I feel as though I am gradually improving and developing with each game and benefitting from the experience of the players around me.
“I know that I still have things to work on, such as my decision-making, but things are progressing and it was nice to be able to get on the scoresheet with a couple of goals in our last game.
“That will definitely help my confidence in front of goal; I probably haven’t had as many attempts at goal as I should so far this season. I am new to being an attacking player as I played right-back throughout my childhood, so it’s been about working on my instincts and building up the belief that I have in myself.
“At the start of the season I set myself the target of 20 goal contributions and I am currently on six, so I’m on track with that.
“Hopefully I can continue to play my part and help the club continue to move in the right direction up the table.”
Tamplin and his Aylesbury United team head to Ware on Saturday.
IMAGE: Mike Snell
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