Striker has hit four goals in all competitions this season for Stevenage

CHRIS Beardsley says his recent goal-scoring exploits may have something to do with a different approach taken by centre-backs to marking him this season.

The striker is in the form of his Boro career having scored four goals in all competitions so far this season, two of which came in his first start of the campaign at home to Rochdale on Saturday.

Speaking after netting a brace in that match – his first a shot high into the net from two yards and his second a wonderful turn and strike from 20 – Beardsley said his new-found goalscoring touch could be in part because defenders are affording him more room in which to play.

“Playing in the Conference we used to get kicked from pillar to post each week which as a centre forward your body took a battering over 50 games,” Beardsley said.

“I think at this level defenders know that the tighter they get to you and the more physical they get you can roll them and win more free kicks so they probably show you a bit more respect.

“I was more happy with the first one [goal]. It was on my left foot. The ‘keeper was at my feet and I knew I had to go high and it was just nice to squeeze it in.

“The second one, just off instinct, was a turn and a shot and it was nice to see it go into the net.”

The last time Beardsley played 90 minutes in a game was Boro’s 2-1 defeat to Reading in the FA Cup in January. Since then the 27-year-old has started five matches only to be replaced by a substitute in each game, but the striker acknowledges that a competition for places has helped the club be successful these past few seasons.

“It’s a long time since I started a game, a long time since I played 90 minutes competitively.

“If it’s not difficult to pick a team then obviously the players aren’t doing their job. It’s my third season here and all the way through we’ve had competition for places and it’s helped our success.”