Striker Growing In Confidence Game By Game

• Forward has already beaten his haul of last season
• The 26-year-old is now targeting even more goals
• Williamson knows the important roles fans can play

Port Vale striker Ben Williamson is happy with his current form but insists he is now determined to score even more goals in the remaining games this season.

The 26-year-old has netted nine times so far this term, including one apiece against Sheffield United on Boxing Day and Gilingham last weekend.

The forward has been deployed as a lone front man in recent weeks by manager Rob Page, making him the focal point of Vale’s attacking system.

Speaking to the press on Tuesday afternoon, Williamson admitted his confidence is growing with each passing game.

“First of all you want to get a run in the team and I’ve managed to do that now,” he said.

“I think I’ve started the last six and obviously when you’re scoring goals, your confidence is just growing with games and obviously you want to go to the next game, you want to score again and hopefully that’s what I can do.”

Playing on his own up front, Williamson’s duties also include holding up the ball for his teammates and making runs into the channels to create openings in the opposing defence.

The striker does not mind doing the ‘ugly stuff’ for the sake of the team, though, adding: “You try and work hard for the team and you try and do the ugly stuff as well as scoring goals.

“I’m sure a lot of fans will be judging me on the goals I score, a lot of teams will be judging me on the goals I score.

“Hopefully I can keep scoring. Obviously I’ve got nine so far which is more than I got last season already so hopefully that can continue.”

Vale currently sit eighth in the Sky Bet League One table after 24 games and are just a single point off the play-off places.

Williamson does not underestimate the impact fans can have on the remainder of the club’s season, insisting their support really can give the players a lift.

“If the fans get behind you it gives you that added push to go and put in a good performance,” he concluded.