In-form Clarke defends his record (From Oxford Mail)

In-form Clarke defends his record

5:55pm Thursday 11th March 2010 in

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Goalkeeper Ryan Clarke (pictured) says he and his defenders will need to be at their best from now until the end of the season if United are to get the success they want.

Clarke pulled off two stunning saves to earn the U's a 1-1 draw at Cambridge last week, and followed that up with another excellent one-handed stop against Hayes & Yeading, although Steve Basham’s two goals left him as disappointed as all the other United players.

Clarke reckoned his first save against Cambridge, arching back to push Danny Crow’s volley over the bar, was probably was his best save of the season.

He said: “I just didn’t give it up so I gave myself a little smile for that. I don't think he could have hit it any sweeter.

“But those kinds of things, and the good defending in front of me as well, are what we’re going to have to do till the end of the season.”

Clarke (pictured right) looks to be in his best form again, but he rejected any idea that he had been through a slight dip at the start of this year.

“I hold my hands up that I cost us the game against Tamworth,” he said.

“And I maybe could have done better with a goal at Luton, but I give myself five mistakes a season and if I come out at the end of it with less than five, in respect of conceding goals, then I think I’ve had a good season.

“I’ve always felt comfortable all along.

“I don’t think it’s a question of having a dip, games come along thick and fast and mistakes are going to happen, it’s only natural.”