Ison bags a brace and signs new Bards club contract
STRATFORD Town midfielder Lewis Ison struck twice to help his side see off previously unbeaten Mickleover 3-2 on Saturday and then pledged his future to the club after turning down the chance to play in National League North.
The 25-year-old midfielder now believes the Bards can build on their defeat of the league leaders as long as they keep repeating the fighting spirit that helped them finish last season so well.
“I was saying to some of the other lads, winning that game felt like it was last year,” he said. “I know we were down at the bottom last season but winning 18 of the last 20 was a great achievement and it felt like one of those performances.
“Let’s not take anything away from Mickleover they are a really good team but we knew we were going into the game against a top side and that’s why we set up the way we did and that’s why we got the win.
“I think we have been confused with our identity this year. Last season we were down there and we knew we had to grind results out. This season we have tried to play, thinking we were better than the opposition, but today (against Mickleover) we knew we were the underdogs and that suited us.”
While he was delighted to be among the goals, Ison admitted he still preferred to be playing in a more defensive role.
He added: “I feel as though I’m not in the game when I’m in that more advanced role but then again I’ve scored two goals so it works both ways.
“A club from the league above came in for me and the thought of playing in the National League did sway me a little but I’ve had conversations with the Gaffer, Lee Vaughan (assistant) and Jed (McCrory – chairman) and I wanted to pay back the faith they’ve shown in me.
“I want to achieve great things with this club and if we continue to put on performances like that then we are capable of doing it.”
