Selby Town manager Dave Ricardo had to take over in goal during their 2-1 win at AFC Emley. Ricardo kept a clean sheet. Picture: Mark Parsons
Selby Town manager Dave Ricardo swapped shouting orders from the touchline to shouting orders from the goal line in yesterday’s 2-1 win at AFC Emley in the Toolstation NCEL Division One.
The Robins were in trouble when goalkeeper Adam Stevens was forced off the field injured after 20 minutes with Selby 1-0 down.
With no substitute stopper on the bench, former Hall Road Rangers midfielder Ricardo to come out of retirement and put on some gloves.
Remarkably he held strong in the sticks by keeping a clean sheet as his side came back to win 2-1 with goals from Tom Chamberlain and Jamie Forrester to end Emley’s promotion hopes.
Ricardo told Non-League Yorkshire: “Fortunately I was on the team sheet, and thankfully I’ve played in goal before. I’d say about ten times to help out friends.
“So I know how to put on a pair of gloves. Sometimes when you’re a manager at this level you have to do things you don’t really want to.
“I thought we played really well. I thought we had the upper hand and their goal was against the run of play, but we fought back really well and I’m really pleased with the effort on show.
“The back four were outstanding. I didn’t have a shot on target at me all game so credit to the defence for making sure we saw the game out.”
Selby have had continued problems in the goalkeeping position, with Ricardo being the 14th person to wear the number one jersey this season.
He said: “We we’re unlucky with Mark Wilberforce being injured at the start of the season.
“I’d say if that didn’t happen we’d be about 15 points better off. We’ve had goalkeepers coming and going through work commitments or injuries all season.
“In pre-season we will sort out our goalkeeping issues for definite, and I’d say like anyone in the division we need about 4/5 maybe 6 new faces.”
Stand-in Selby Town goalkeeper Dave Ricardo races out and stops Doran Jordan in his tracks. Picture: Mark Parsons
Despite changing faces in goal, Selby have managed eight wins in their last 12 games. With Ricardo’s side currently sitting 11th in the NCEL Divison One, he strongly believes a top ten finish and a place in the FA Cup is achievable next season.
He said: ” Top ten has to be the goal, if we stick with the squad we’ve got now I think the natural progression would be two or three places in the league.
“In all honesty top 6 would be where we really want to be, but the top half of the table is our first goal.”
Ricardo and his assistant Lee Hastings are currently awaiting confirmation from the club regarding their position next season, but the pair are both committed.
“I had a meeting with the committee last week and I’ve got an meeting with the chairman on Tuesday, but I want to be at Selby next season.
“I think we’ve got a really bright future ahead of us. Hopefully we’ll be around for another year, and I’ve spoken to Lee and he is also keen to stay at the club.”
Ricardo also passed on his message of well done to Pontefract, who won promotion yesterday.
He added: “Finally I’d like to congratulate Pontefract on gaining promotion. I think it is well deserved promotion and I know a lot of their players and I’m really happy for them.”