Evo Stik Division One South
Market Drayton Town v Shaw Lane AFC
Shaw Lane AFC defender Neil Austin
Craig Elliott has hailed the impact that former Barnsley and Hartlepool defender Neil Austin has made at Shaw Lane AFC.
Austin made his long-awaited debut for Ducks at Stamford on Saturday, a year after he originally signed. He was due to play for them last season, but injury prevented him.
“He was fantastic on Saturday when we were excellent defensively against a side I think will be up there,” Elliott said.
“He gives us a lot of experience so it is great to finally have him playing in a Shaw Lane shirt.
“He’s fantastic to have around. Players like Neil who have played over 500 times in the Football League don’t come around very often.”
Elliott is still chasing at least one new striker to replace Ossett Town forward Danny Frost.
“I’m trying to get a couple in, but I want them to be the right people,” he added.
“We’ve got a good dressing room, good spirit so I don’t want to bring anyone in for the sake of it.
“Losing Danny Frost two days before the season has killed to a certain degree because it takes time to get someone in.
“We have been a couple of forwards light in a couple of games. You look at the Northwich game, we didn’t have a forward to come on and change the game.”