Declan Benjamin, Oxford City midfielder and stand-in keeper, admitted he was shocked to find himself in goal again during their 5-0 win at Brackley Town in Vanarama Conference North on Saturday, writes Matthew Bruce
Benjamin had to go in goal during City’s 1-0 win over Tamworth the previous week after a red card for Salva de la Cruz.
And when Mark Scott was given his marching orders on Saturday, Benjamin again found himself strapping on the gloves.
And after keeping a clean sheet in both games, playing in goal for more than an hour, Benjamin said he had grown accustomed to the role.
“In training I go in goal when we’re messing around for a warm-up sometimes, so I’m just used to it now,” he said.
“But next week I’m hoping to be able to play a whole game in midfield without going down to ten men.
“It does get a bit cold as well, just standing there.”
General manager Justin Merritt was disappointed with the decision to dismiss Scott – City’s 11th red card of the season – but said his players had learned to minimise the effect of it.
He said: “What we’ve said to the players is that it doesn’t really change too much.”
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