Reds hitman Jonny Wright targets 20-goals this season

By Martin Morgan

Last updated 10:43, Saturday, 13 September 2008

Jonny Wright is targeting a 20-goal haul for Workington Reds this season – but is disappointed old strike partner Michael Reed is not still at Borough Park to knock in his share as well.

Jonny Wright: All I want to do is score goals and win games, says the Reds striker

Wright was Reds’ top scorer last season with 14 and has opened his account with four goals in nine games this year, in the absence of Reed, who has returned to his former club Penrith.

“I got to 13 last season and thought I had loads of games left,” Wright said. “But I got stuck on 13. I wanted 20 but then couldn’t get off 14.

“I want 20 at least this year. All I want to do is score goals and win games. I’d enjoyed playing with Michael Reed especially, because he’s a different sort of player.

“He’s small and fast and I was disappointed when he went back to Penrith, as I thought we could do well together.”

Reds have suffered a stuttering start to the Blue Square North season but Wright reckons there are grounds for optimism.

“We have a massive two games coming up on Saturday and next week, against Solihull and Hucknall,” he added. “I don’t know what’s wrong. We’re a good team but we’re not playing well together, though if we win our next couple we are right up there in the top half.

“I wouldn’t have thought we’ll win the league, but I’d like to finish in the play-offs. We’ve got seven points and the top team have 17. Ten points is nothing.

“I’m enjoying it where I am. If I got the chance to play at a higher level I’d probably give it a go, but I’d rather do it with Reds.”

Wright is only 22 but is in his second spell at Borough Park having come through Whitehaven Amateurs’ ranks.

He first joined Reds as a teenager under Tommy Cassidy, starting only two games, at left-back, and then picked up an injury that kept him out of action for nine months.

“I enjoyed it but just wasn’t getting the opportunity, which I understand as I was young and didn’t score,” he explained.

He returned to the County Ground and enjoyed two stunning seasons, netting 39 times in his first year and 43 in his second, before re-joining Reds last year.

Apart from a 20-goal haul, Wright’s other fervent ambition at Workington is to play a full game in the FA Cup first round proper, after missing out on a start against Bury last year.

He said: “I got 10 minutes against Bury and it was a great day, but I want to play 90 minutes in the cup. I’m desperate to play in it.”

Craig Johnston returns today against visitors Solihull (3pm) after missing the midweek trip to Farsley Celtic due to work commitments.

But Lee Andrews is unavailable and flu victim Andrew Hardman is a concern.

“We were flat last Saturday and again on Tuesday,” manager Darren Edmondson said. “I will hit home to the players today that every single game has to be treated like a cup final. They must have the right work ethic or they won’t win.”