We can beat Os, says striker

SMILES BETTER: Jonson Clarke-Harris (right) joins in Danny Philliskirk’s goal celebration against Crawley on Saturday.

JONSON Clarke-Harris has a message for those who doubt Athletic’s chances at Leyton Orient tomorrow.

“Don’t expect us to go there not thinking we can win — because we know we can,” said the 19-year-old striker after enjoying his finest game for the club against Crawley.

“We go down there full of confidence. We know we can get something out of the game and our away record is good.”

The ex-Coventry and Peterborough player led the line against Crawley with intelligence and earned praise from his manager: “It was one of my best games,” said Jonson. “I had to win my individual battles and that is what I did.

“Playing with experienced players like Charlie MacDonald, Danny Philliskirk and Adam Rooney, I have learned things from all of them. I got in the right positions. I am going to keep working hard and keep trying.”

His manager Lee Johnson felt that on his second successive start for the team, Clarke-Harris’s physicality proved a useful asset.

“He worked his socks off and saved himself at the right times,” Johnson said.

“We have said it before that this is a 19-year-old boy. He looks like a man. He hasn’t had much football education yet, but the more he plays and trains, the better he gets.

“There is potential there. He has got so many attributes — he is big, strong, he has a good left foot and a better touch than most big lads.”