Boro striker praises club’s fans for terrific support

CHARLIE Griffin said scoring for Boro in the Football League was a ‘fantastic’ experience and he praised the club’s fans for their vocal support on the club’s first game of the season.

The striker scored Boro’s late equaliser in Saturday’s 2-2 draw after starting up front for Boro in his first match since suffering a fractured cheekbone in Boro’s FA Trophy defeat to Barrow in May and said he was raring to go before the match after a good pre-season.

“I’ve had a great pre-season, I’ve worked hard and it was a great felling to get out there,” Griffin said.

“I’ve fully recovered from the injury and am now really looking forward to the next game.

“I’ve waited a long time to get back into the Football League and to get out there and score again it’s fantastic and it’s a great feeling and I’m looking forward to many more.

“I made sure I put it in the net...and it was great. This place just lifted and it was a great atmosphere. The fans were superb. Afterwards when we were warming down they were still shouting and cheering and it was a great feeling.”

Despite being pleased with his goal and Boro’s point, Griffin did say the historic occasion of Boro’s first ever game in the Football League may have got to some of the players.

“We’re disappointed with the two goals we gave away. It’s nice to score today for myself but I think everything has been built up since last season when we beat Kiddie and got promotion and everyone has been waiting for this day and we may have got caught up in the atmosphere.”

Manager Graham Westley agreed.

“Both were sloppy, errors were involved in both goals,” the Boro boss said. “It’s early in the season and mistakes happen and I think today everyone will accept there were reasons.

“There were a lot of nerves, a lot of pressure and a lot going on and it’s nice they’ve posted a point and got their league points underway.

“We drew our first three games last season and went on to the championship so we all know early results are ones you can’t read a lot into. It’s good to have posted something. It would have been horrible to walk away with defeat under our belt.”