Tavistock sign former Plymouth Argyle striker Massey Another striker joins ahead of clash with Sholing
TAVISTOCK have brought in Swindon Town striker Oscar Massey to give their hopes of making the Southern League Division One South play-offs a huge boost.
The 19-year-old forward has already had spells on loan at Hungerford Town and Plymouth Parkway this season, but will head to Langsford Park hoping to score the goals that will see the Lambs seal a top five finish.
Massey joins a week after Tavi also brought in striker Sean Thomson from Western League side Millbrook and with the league’s top goalscorer, Liam Prynn already on the books, along with the experienced Josh Grant and gifted Alex Battle, it gives manager Stuart Henderson plenty of attacking options.
“It was a no-brainer for us, really,” Henderson said. “Firstly, from a financial point of view, he was free of charge, and I know the club have found it financially tough this season, so it was a boost when he became available.
“It’s one of them where he needs to play games, our front three (Prynn, Grant and Battle) have been contributing well and I explained that to Oscar before he made the move. At the same time, if he comes off the bench and makes a good impact then, like everyone else on the team, if they perform, they stay in the team, it’s as simple as that.”
Massey will go straight into the squad for Saturday’s clash with league leaders Sholing after he joined his new team-mates for training this week.
“We only have 15 players for Saturday and we have been running with a relatively small squad. Taylor Scarff is still suspended and Josh Parry is out on loan, so even with everyone available, we only have 17,” Henderson added. “We won’t be looking to let anyone go.
“Oscar didn’t get a Pro contract at Plymouth and has gone up to Swindon. Reading between the lines, I think opportunities have been limited, but he’s someone who is hungry, he trained with us on Wednesday night and did well in his first training session.
“I remember watching him in his scholarship days at Plymouth, but it’s like a lot of youngsters – they have pedigree to get a scholarship to begin with and you then need a mixture of luck and hitting form at the right time, which develops confidence and improves performance.
“The fact Swindon took a chance on him shows that he’s got potential but, like it is for a lot of the lads, it can be tough to break in as a fully-fledged professional. But he will come to us, get some game time and we will work with him and if he can score a few goals in the run-in, then fantastic.”
Massey certainly won’t have a tougher baptism at Langsford Park as the Lambs play Sholing for the first time this season.
“It is probably a free hit for us because everyone will expect Sholing to beat us and rightly so, they are top of the league. They are a very experienced side at this level and probably the opposite to what we are really,” Henderson said.
“I think Tavi have gained a reputation for giving youngsters an opportunity and I think that’s very much the way we are and the way we need to be, but they are the total opposite end of the scale with a massive budget, experienced players that have played the level and been together for a long time with a lot of success.
“It is going to be difficult, but we just have to try to do our best to compete and stay in the game. We haven’t played them yet this season, so having them twice and Totton, who are also up there – and are the best team I have seen in the league, although I haven’t seen Sholing yet – is going to be a difficult run-in. But we are looking forward to it and enjoy the challenge.”
