Two-goal Dale hungry for more

DALE Stephens is aiming to kick on and grab more vital goals for Athletic this season.

The midfielder put in a man-of-the-match performance in the season opener at Tranmere, notching two goals as manager Paul Dickov claimed three points via a 2-1 win in his first competitive game at the helm.

Goals have not played a major part in 21-year-old Stephens' career so far — he only got three last season, one of which was while on loan at Rochdale — but having been encouraged to shoot more when in good positions, he hopes that will change.

"It is a great start for us and with two goals and a victory, you can't ask for any more than that," said the central midfielder, who is in the last year of his contract at Boundary Park.

"With the free-kick, I had seen the 'keeper creeping over to his left as he thought I was going to go over the wall.

"I was going to, but once I had seen him I changed my mind and put it in the opposite bottom corner.

"Last year I tried to get forward, but this year I really want to get it into my game.

"And with the second goal, Warren Feeney found me with a good ball and I just stuck it into the net."

Athletic's focus is now on tomorrow's Carling Cup first-round tie against Scunthorpe United.

The Championship club started their campaign with a 2-1 victory at Reading on Saturday.