Big striker Matt Harrold makes his first return to former club Wycombe Wanderers as a League Two table-topper with Shrewsbury Town this weekend admitting he would love to grab a goal.
The 26-year-old, an instant favourite with Town fans after hitting it off immediately with strike partner Jake Robinson, spent two years with Wycombe before being released at the end of last season, despite scoring 10 times as the Chairboys were relegated from League One.
Harrold insists he has fond memories of his time as a Wycombe player, but he’s looking forward to trying to add to his encouraging four-goal tally at their expense on Saturday to keep Town flying high at the top of League Two.
“I always want to score goals on a Saturday but I suppose you always want to score against your old club,” he said.
“I’ve done it a few times so that would be nice.
“I’m looking forward to the game and it’s one we want to win. It will be a tough one but it will be nice to go back there.
“I’ve got some good mates at Wycombe and it was a good two years for me although we got relegated the second year. It was enjoyable and I went there at a time when I wasn’t doing great.
“I had a couple of dodgy years at Southend, being relegated from the Championship, so it was good to get back playing and doing well.”
Harrold believes he doesn’t return to Adams Park with a point to prove despite being allowed to move on by boss Gary Waddock.
“Maybe other people will see it that way but I don’t,” he stressed.
“I thought I did well there and it’s a really good club. I’ve got a lot of time for the people there, but it’s just one of those things, you move on in football. It wasn’t really a surprise to leave by the end because I didn’t play in the last six games last season.
“It was a shame but maybe I needed something different anyway. I was commuting there and it was taking its toll, a couple of hours in the car every morning, so I’m just pleased to be here now, playing and doing well.”
Harrold has quickly embraced the rural lifestyle on offer as a Town player, moving his family into a village home, and it’s been a hectic time for the striker as he recently became a father for the second time, to Ezrah.
“I wake up and see cows in the field so that’s a bit different to driving around the M25 for two hours, but I like it here and I’m enjoying it,” said the towering Londoner.
“It’s been hectic and I’m surprised I’m lasting the 90 minutes because I’m not getting much sleep.”
On the field, all is going well for Harrold, too, but he’s determined to kick on and continue impressing after a highly promising start to his Shrewsbury career alongside Robinson.
“It’s always nice when you go to a new club to start well,” he said.
“I’m looking to continue it now and I’m working hard to try and get the team three points every week. Hopefully I’ll score some goals along the way.
“It’s going really well with Jake and we’re being kept on our toes because we’ve got good people on the bench waiting to come in. We’ve just got to look to continue it and not get over-confident or complacent.”
Now Harrold is hoping Town can cope with the added pressure which comes with being leaders as Shrewsbury get ready for part one of a tough away double-header which also takes them to fellow high fliers Port Vale on Tuesday (7.45pm).
“We went to Gillingham in a similar position and they had not been doing as well as they would like, as is the case with Wycombe,” he added.
“Gillingham were up for it and they probably out-battled us. Wycombe do try to play football and we know they’ll really be up for the game.”
By Stuart Dunn