Drop has fired me up – Richards

JUSTIN Richards says being dropped from Cheltenham Town's starting line-up has made him even more determined to succeed this season.

He was left out for the first time for the trip to Port Vale on October 24 after 15 consecutive starts following his summer move from Kidderminster Harriers.

The 29-year-old striker was recalled to the right wing by acting boss John Schofield for the FA Cup first round defeat at Torquay United after two matches on the bench.

After stating publicly his desire to play in a centre forward role, Richards netted his fifth goal of the campaign in last Saturday's 1-1 draw at Lincoln City, drawing level with Elvis Hammond as the Robins' joint-top scorer this term.

"Any player hates being dropped, but sometimes it takes some looking from the outside to see a slump in form," Richards said.

"The manager made a decision and I had to go along with that and work hard to get back into the team, but it has fired me up to stay in there now."

Before this season, Richards had only one Football League goal to his name.

His solitary strike came for Peterborough United in 2006 against an MK Dons side managed by Martin Allen and including Richards' current Robins colleague Drissa Diallo.

His five goals this season have come from 14 starts, the majority of which have been in wide positions and he is confident that the goals will continue to flow.

"I am buzzing to get the goal against Lincoln, but I was slightly gutted not to get another because I thought there was another goal out there for me," he said.

"I have to keep plugging away and hopefully the goals will come.

"I want to keep my place in the team and do it again next week."

Cheltenham travel to Morecambe on Saturday in search of their first victory in 11 matches.

A young Cheltenham Town development XI travelled to play Premier League side Portsmouth's reserve team at their training ground in Eastleigh yesterday.

A strong Pompey side, including Iceland international Herman Hreidarsson, won 3-0.

Professionals Michael Pook, Andy Gallinagh, David Hutton, Jack Durrant and Marley Watkins all featured along with scholarship players.

"It was a very worthwhile exercise for our lads and a good workout, which was the main thing," Schofield said.