Lee Barnard was glad to finally net his first strike of the season after a frustrating run in front of goal.
After seeing a string of top class saves from various goalkeepers and different parts of the woodwork thwarting his advances in previous matches, the striker was then made to wait until the tail end of Saints' 4-0 thumping of Bristol Rovers to register a strike, which had been long in the making.
"It's a relief," he admitted afterwards. "As a striker it's always nice to get off the mark early and I have been unfortunate in previous games. I've had a few chances, but I've been quite happy with the way that I've been playing without getting a goal, so today was pleasing and hopefully now I can kick on from here."
 Barnard's first of the season arrives late on at the Memorial stadium |
Despite the wait for his goal and the team's first league success of the campaign, Lee was confident that both would arrive sooner rather than later.
"We've been playing well lately. This was a big game for us, it was all about the result and getting the three points. I thought we did it in style today too, we played very well and it was a good scoreline.
"The last couple of games we've been happy with the way that we have played and it's not gone our way, but you can't keep saying that. Today was all about the result - we pushed them, kept then on the backfoot and managed to get the goals today which made us look strong, then there was no way back for them after that.
"Every single one of us put in a good performance right through the team, Kelvin kept us in it in the first half with some great saves, then the midfielders through to Lambo scoring so it was good stuff all round from us, we're working hard for each other and there's a good spirit, so we're looking forward to the next game."
Barnard also confessed that he is relishing the opportunity to form a successful partnership up front with Rickie Lambert once the Liverpudlian regains full fitness.
"Rickie has been unfortunate with injury, he's been out for a while and had to come back, but it's hard to be flying straightaway. He's only going to get better and better, and our partnership is looking good now, we just need to develop an understanding and we'll play even better.
"I feel really good. I had a strong pre season and I'm sharp. I've been quite happy with my performances, but strikers are judged on goals and that's all that's been missing, but hopefully I can kick on now because I'm always looking to better myself, help the team in anyway and hopefully I can keep on scoring.
"I'm confident in my ability and especially in this team, we've got some great players here who are going to create chances for me, so as long as the chances come, I'm confident I can score and I'm looking to be up there at the top of the goal scoring charts."
Saints begin the defence of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy at home to Swindon Town on Tuesday evening, and Lee thinks that the team couldn't have drawn a much harder first round tie.
"Very difficult game to start with," he acknowledged. "Swindon were unlucky in the play-offs, they beat us last year at our place so we owe them one, but it will be tough. We are looking to defend our trophy, so hopefully it's going to be a good game and we can carry on our run and get another win.
"They've had a slow start and they're going to look to put that right, so they'll come at us which will make it difficult. As long as we keep doing what we're doing and remain prepared then we'll be fine.
"We're not trying to put out big messages at this stage - we're doing it for ourselves. 4-0 is a good result against very good Bristol Rovers team especially here, and I thought that we played very well."
