Knight hails Racers’ first victory

A first-half brace from Tyrone Smith and a Luke Swinnerton strike gave Racers their first victory in 15 in the Midland Combination and built on an encouraging second-half performance at Pilkington XXX last Saturday.

Trailing 3-1 shortly before the break, Racers fought back to draw 4-4, with substitute Smith scoring a brace to add to goals from Swinnerton and Shane Benjamin.

And Knight said the fightback gave his side the belief to overturn the high-flying Swifts.

“In the second half against Pilkington we looked really good,” said Knight. “We showed some character, puffed out our chests and we could have won it.

“We took that into the Bolehall game and played really well, though they took us lightly.

“We had enough chances to make it five or six.”

Knight, was joined in the centre of defence by debutant Ryan Barry, with Dean Curtis dropping into midfield to give the side a more solid look.

However, despite the victory, Knight says it is important his new-look side do not get carried away.

“We’ve won one game. There’s still a massive task ahead. But it’s a start.

“The players have shown me they can do it and to lose that nil in the win column is a massive lift for some of the young lads.

“It’s now a case of installing that winning mentality.”

Leon Thomas is added to the squad for tomorrow’s trip to Castle Vale JKS after joining from Pershore, while Knight is also hopeful of bringing in a central defender on loan from Rugby.