Lester enjoying new defensive role
Credit:
Since he made the switch from his accustomed midfield role into the
heart of defence John Lester has been a commanding figure for Longford
Town.
On Saturday night the stand-in captain was instrumental in the Town’s 2-1 win over midlands rivals Athlone Town; scoring a penalty right on the stroke of half-time to give the Town the lead.
Lester has formed a formidable defensive partnership with Chris Deans. It’s something that has pleased him. “We seem to be playing very well together, apart from the Mervue game. I have played there before for Tony (Cousins) so it’s just a matter of needs must with Philly (Byrne) being injured and putting Hylo (Thomas Hyland) in midfield. Once I’m playing I don’t care,” he told Extratime.
Speaking about the Athlone Town game Lester was delighted with the victory over their rivals. After Mervue ended their unbeaten run in the previous game Lester admitted it was important for the players to get something out of the Athlone game. He said, “It’s always good after a bad result that you have the next game to look forward to. We were very poor against Mervue and we had a chance coming into a derby game to show that we aren’t that bad.”
Despite their recent good form the Town still found themselves languishing in 10th position in the table but Saturday’s win has now moved them above Athlone. According to Lester they are getting nearer their targeted position. “After our great results of late, with the draws, it hasn’t really made much of a difference to our league position. The win now has moved us up the table and we are closer to the position we want to be in,” the Town defender said.
Next up for the Town is a trip to the RSC on Friday night to take on Waterford United. Town beat the Blues in their previous league meeting this season and also knocked them out of the FAI Cup. Lester believes if the Town keep them scoreless they have a chance of getting something out of the game. He said, “There is going to be no pressure on us to go down there. We are not expected to win but we have every chance. We have beaten them before and we just have to keep a clean sheet and see where we can go from there.”
On Saturday night the stand-in captain was instrumental in the Town’s 2-1 win over midlands rivals Athlone Town; scoring a penalty right on the stroke of half-time to give the Town the lead.
Lester has formed a formidable defensive partnership with Chris Deans. It’s something that has pleased him. “We seem to be playing very well together, apart from the Mervue game. I have played there before for Tony (Cousins) so it’s just a matter of needs must with Philly (Byrne) being injured and putting Hylo (Thomas Hyland) in midfield. Once I’m playing I don’t care,” he told Extratime.
Speaking about the Athlone Town game Lester was delighted with the victory over their rivals. After Mervue ended their unbeaten run in the previous game Lester admitted it was important for the players to get something out of the Athlone game. He said, “It’s always good after a bad result that you have the next game to look forward to. We were very poor against Mervue and we had a chance coming into a derby game to show that we aren’t that bad.”
Despite their recent good form the Town still found themselves languishing in 10th position in the table but Saturday’s win has now moved them above Athlone. According to Lester they are getting nearer their targeted position. “After our great results of late, with the draws, it hasn’t really made much of a difference to our league position. The win now has moved us up the table and we are closer to the position we want to be in,” the Town defender said.
Next up for the Town is a trip to the RSC on Friday night to take on Waterford United. Town beat the Blues in their previous league meeting this season and also knocked them out of the FAI Cup. Lester believes if the Town keep them scoreless they have a chance of getting something out of the game. He said, “There is going to be no pressure on us to go down there. We are not expected to win but we have every chance. We have beaten them before and we just have to keep a clean sheet and see where we can go from there.”
