Reece Styche rounds the Grantham Town keeper
Reece Styche rounds the Grantham Town keeper

Chasetown FC striker Reece Styche believes his goals against Grantham Town FC have shown his critics just what he can do.

The former Shepshed Dynamo striker hit a brace as the Scholars ran out 3-1 winners.

And for Styche – who had what was, by his own admission, a disappointing spell at Grantham last season – the goals were the perfect way to silence the home fans.

The Scholars striker said:

“They were giving me absolutely loads of stick so it was good to get the goals and keep them quiet for a bit. Thankfully, their criticism spurred me on and I got the two goals.

“In fairness, they never saw the best of me when I was there. I was coming off the back of two metatarsal injuries and a broken ankle so it wasn’t a great time for me confidence-wise. I was an aggressive player but when I was at Grantham I was a bit of a fairy!

“But the goals on Saturday showed exactly what I can do when I’m on top of my game.”

With Gary Birch absent against Grantham, Styche – who had missed Chasetown’s midweek Cup defeat against Leek Town – partnered Danny Smith in attack.

And with Dean Perrow expected to return around Christmas time, competition is set to increase in the Chasetown striking berths.

But Styche is determined to make himself a fixture in the first team squad. He explained:

“When you’ve got the likes of Dean Perrow and Gary Birch fighting for a place you know you’ve got to be on top of your game. Strikers are judged on goals and I’ve got to keep producing.

“At the moment the goals are going in for me and I’m confident I can hang onto the shirt and keep my place on that basis.”

Styche returned to the Chasetown squad after injuries and work commitments had ruled him out in recent weeks.

But despite an indifferent spell of results, the Scholars have kept themselves firmly in the hunt towards the top of the table.

And Styche believes there’s no reason why Chasetown can’t be in the title shake-up come the end of the season. He said:

“You can never say never on the title front. At the moment confidence in the camp is high and we’ve got some quality players in there.

“We just have to keep turning up and producing to pick up points. Hopefully we can keep on climbing the table and do the job week-in, week-out.”

Chasetown will look to add to their points tally – and avenge their Cup defeat – when they travel to Leek Town tomorrow (November 3) for a 7.45pm kick-off.

Founder of Lichfield Live and editor of the site.