Young striker speaks after the B Team’s 2-2 draw on Saturday
- Kieran Phillips speaks after B Team’s draw with Blackburn
- Striker scored late equaliser after earlier goal ruled out
- Phillips: “I just want to play as much as I can”
Kieran Phillips wants to build on the momentum he built through his loans last season now that the 2022/23 campaign is under way.
The former Everton forward made a good start on Saturday, scoring the late equaliser in the B Team’s 2-2 draw with Blackburn Rovers at the Millers Oils High Performance Complex.
He could have had more, having seen an earlier goal chalked off due to a late offside flag!
“I think I should have had two – it felt a questionable decision for the offside! However, that’s how it is and if I put one in the back of the net, I’m happy,” Kieran told htafc.com post-match.
He continued: “There’s a purpose to every game, and the purpose today was to get minutes into everyone’s legs.
“I thought we started slowly, but we grew into it and by the end I thought we were well on top.”
A notable feature from the game was the commanding voice of returning centre back Will Boyle, who skippered the side as he got 90 minutes under his belt.
“It’s massive,” Kieran agreed. “It helps to organise everyone. It’s particularly good when he’s playing with a young centre half like Loick (Ayina), as he sees how to organise a back four. Hopefully players like that pick up on that and incorporate it into their game.”
Last season was a big one for the 22-year-old. He played a total of 43 games in Sky Bet League 2, first for Walsall before switching to Exeter City and helping the Grecians claim promotion.
Having suffered with serious knee injuries as a youngster, playing that regularly was an important hurdle for Kieran to overcome.
He explained: “It was a really good experience. I learned that my body could cope with the intensity of playing English football where games come Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday, Tuesday, which I was happy with. That was probably questioned before, but I’m confident I can do that now. That was the main objective of last year - my first full season of senior football.
“I was happy to get on the scoresheet a few times, but I felt I could have scored more if I had started up front more. However, I really enjoyed the season - I found it valuable.
“Now I just want to play as much as I can.”
Tickets for our next home game - the Carabao Cup game vs Preston North End - are on sale now - click HERE to buy online!
