Striker’s praise for fans as he breaks goal duck

JOB WELL DONE: Lee Johnson (left), Jonson Clarke-Harris and Paul Rachubka walk off the field after Athletic’s 3-2 win over Bradford.

JONSON Clarke-Harris admitted he didn’t even see the ball hitting the back of the net for his second goal at Bradford on Saturday.

But there was no doubt he had scored from the huge cheer by visiting fans at Valley Parade.

The eight-goal striker brought up his first two-goal haul of the season in style in the game, racing on to a Jonathan Grounds pass to take a touch and find the perfect angle to drive the ball home into the far corner.

“It was the only thing I could have done, to run and shoot,” said the 19 year old, who also netted in the previous meeting with the Bantams, a 1-1 draw at Boundary Park.

“It is as simple as that. I have been waiting for a ball in-behind like that, which Groundsy has played. It was a good finish. I didn’t even see the ball go in. I just heard the fans and then I knew.”

Clarke-Harris’s second-half strike effectively killed off the game, providing breathing room for the club’s relegation fight.

In setting up the first goal with a knockdown to James Wesolowski — before smashing in the second himself — the teenager showed maturity.

“It was another game where the points mean more to me than any individual performance and that is the case right through the team.

“I am buzzing. But more importantly, we went to Bradford, did a job and were able to put our feet up.”

Athletic are now on a five-match unbeaten run and for a player whose last goal was way back in December, his main regret is that he didn’t rediscover his shooting boots sooner.

“But this is where it counts, now, and I am just happy to be doing a job for the team,” he said.

“It is a much happier place and the fans are getting behind us, which we are really pleased with.”