Teen goal ace shuns League for the Camrose (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Teen goal ace shuns League for the Camrose

8:10am Thursday 18th June 2009 in

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NEW signing Jahson Downes says he chose to join Basingstoke Town despite interest from league clubs because the move “felt right.”

Downes, who is 18 and was released by Reading at the end of last season, had talks with Football League outfits Aldershot and Wycombe, but in the end decided to sign a year-long deal at the Camrose.

“I spoke to a few other clubs, including Hayes and Yeading, Aldershot and Wycombe, but am really pleased to have signed for Basingstoke,” the forward explained. “It just felt right. It’s close to my home in Reading and I think I have a good chance of getting first-team action.”

Downes showed that he has what it takes to succeed at Blue Square South level during a loan spell at Bognor Regis Town last season, scoring seven goals in 18 matches.

He was impressive when Basingstoke travelled to Nyewood Lane in February, scoring the opening goal and tormenting the Town defence with his pace and skill as Bognor, who were eventually relegated, raced into a two-goal lead.

Downes limped off with 11 minutes to go and was not on the field as Basingstoke staged a last-gasp fightback to win 3-2.

“I enjoyed it at Bognor and feel I can do just as well at Basingstoke this season,” Downes said. “I have set myself a number of targets, such as scoring a certain number of goals.

“I am quick, skilful, strong and a decent finisher. I like to take men on and make chances for myself and my team-mates.

“Hopefully, we can be in the top half, even pushing for a play-off place. I’m really looking forward to getting started and it will be nice to meet the rest of the squad in pre-season.”

Downes said his best position is striker but he would be happy to play on the wing, providing the versatility that manager Frank Gray has been looking for.

“I am really pleased he has signed and think he has got a lot of potential,” Gray said. “He proved that he can score goals and cause problems at Bognor last year so I hope he will be a good acquisition.”

Gray does not expect any more players to put pen to paper in the coming days but is hopeful of agreeing terms with one or two before he goes away on holiday at the weekend.

“I might agree to sign a couple this week and hopefully there will not be too much to do player-wise after that,” he said.

“We will have a few trialists come along to pre-season but not as many as last year.”

The main areas Gray is looking to strengthen are right-back and central midfield, while he will wait and see regarding a goalkeeper.

“The goalkeeper position can wait because there are lots around and Ross Kitteridge is not fixed up yet,” he said.

“Ideally, we would have Ross so it will probably be the last position to be filled.”