Big Ben longing to strike

Ben Richards-Everton has been working on being a danger at setpieces

Ben Richards-Everton made his home debut on Saturday against Hibs and he felt that the pre season friendly had been a good fitness test for him and his team mates.

"Obviously going down to ten men so early on was unfortunate. It was a friendly game and the referee could have helped us out a little there by saying to the management 'just take him off and replace him with somebody else' so that we could keep eleven men on the field."

Pressed to comment on his closer up view of the incident that led to referee Nick Walsh brandishing a red card to Jason Talbot, the 23 year old said:-

"He got the ball it was a good challenge. It was a yellow card at best, the referee could have told him off, slapped him on the wrist and told him not to do that again. Some of the players were saying that they didn't feel that it was a red card. It spoilt it really for the fans as well. Jason is a new player and fans wanted to have a look at Jason and the new look team.

"The lads did well, especially in the second half to scrape a goal back. We had good possession at times and it was a credit to us. Hibs are a very good team.

"Faissal came close just before he scored, he hit the post from very good play, probably the best play throughout the whole game. He played a little 1-2 and he was unlucky. There are a lot of positives to take out of today that we can take on board for next week again when we meet Arbroath."

Asked to comment about his own play and his confidence, Ben added:-

"They are a good bunch of lads, the fans have made it easy. They are very welcoming and I am enjoying my time here at the minute. Hopefully we will kick on into the season which is just around the corner." Ben added thoughts specifically referring to his first appearance in front of home fans.

"The stadium and the fans are brilliant, that makes it a lot easier for myself, all the new players and for the team to be honest. As you could see on Saturday they get behind us as well. Hopefully that continues throughout the season."

Scoring has not yet been one of Ben's experiences with no goals to show in 39 games for Tamworth or in the 20 league matches in Scotland last season. The central defender has the build of a basketball player but nothing would help get the East End Park faithful behind the Englishman than if he was to open his account and score a few goals in front of them.

"Yes, obviously with my height I am expected to score a fair few goals. It is something that I have been working on in training with the coaching staff and the gaffer himself. I am trying to get myself into good areas so that I can get on the end of some of them. My height is one of my strengths and I am definitely looking to score a few goals this season."

Ben arrived in Scotland just short of a year ago and his first taste of Scottish football was in a League One match for Airdrieonians at East End Park last season.

"Scotland is not new to me. I was at Partick Thistle and living in Glasgow so I have adjusted well."

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