Good display wins 'keeper place in squad (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Good display wins 'keeper place in squad

8:00am Monday 3rd August 2009 in Football By John Boyman

IT'S not the usual way to impress the manager but after performing well against his own side on Saturday, Craig Atkinson is looking forward to a season in Basingstoke Town's first team squad.

The young goalkeeper, who played for the club's reserve team last season, travelled to Hungerford Town as back-up for Ross Kitteridge but was called into action when the home 'keeper injured his knee in the warm up.

Hungerford were without another shot stopper and Atkinson stepped into the breech, playing 90 minutes for the Berkshire side.

He let in four goals, Basingstoke emerging comfortable 4-1 winners, but made a string of good saves along the way. Frank Gray was obviously impressed, immediately signing the goalkeeper on non-contract terms for the coming season.

"Craig would have come on for the last 20 minutes but it was good for him to get a whole game," the Town boss said. "He did well, making a few good saves."

Atkinson was one of three members of last season's championship winning reserve team to sign, with midfielder Tom Walsh and defender Craig Smith joining him in the first team squad.

"It's always nice to see players progressing through the club," Gray said. "It shows the lads in the reserves that we will put them in if we feel they are ready and gives players an incentive to join our reserve squad because they can see there is a chance of progression.

"They are good young lads who can only improve and get better. We have put them on Conference forms because we will need back-up if we get injuries but they will get chances if they continue the progress they have shown."