Constable closes in on United's top three scorers (From Herald Series)

Constable closes in on United's top three scorers

9:50am Friday 28th December 2012 in United News By David Pritchard, Chief Sports Reporter covering Oxford United. Follow us on twitter: @oxfordmailoufc. Call me on 01865 425458

James Constable needs one goal to draw level with John Aldridge and Peter Foley

James Constable will be hoping more than anyone that Oxford United’s games over the holiday period beat the weather as he attempts to break into the club’s all-time top three scorers list.

The striker is in a rich vein of form and a double in the 3-1 win at Exeter City on Boxing Day made it six goals in the last seven games.

The run has helped the U’s build some momentum and they will be desperate the gloomy weather forecasts do not put paid to their upcoming matches – with a trip to AFC Wimbledon up next on Saturday.

It is the 28-year-old’s best spell in front of goal for more than two years and he was delighted to play his part in the festive victory in Devon.

“It was nice to see them go in,” he said.

“I think the first one was a bit lucky, Tommy (Craddock) did brilliantly to challenge and half-block his marker.

“The second one I think the defender tried to clear with the header, but it just bounced into my path nicely.”

Constable now has nine goals for the campaign, taking him to 89 in all competitions for the club.

It means one more strike at AFC Wimbledon, where he scored last season, would bring him level with club legends John Aldridge and Peter Foley.

The former Shrewsbury hitman has said several times that overhauling Graham Atkinson’s all-time record of 107 goals is a big incentive.

Constable’s brace at Exeter actually took the number of goals he has scored in a U’s shirt to 92, above Aldridge and Foley, but the hat-trick he scored against Chester in 2009 was expunged after that club’s demise.

While individual targets are a factor, his main aim tomorrow will be to help United extend their strong run.

Chris Wilder’s side have not lost in their last eight games, although progress has been hindered slightly by four draws.

But there have been better signs in the last ten days and they will be looking for a third successive win tomorrow.

Constable is glad to be getting victories, especially on the road.

He said: “We’ve been unbeaten, but the amount of games we were drawing leaves you in a difficult position – you have to go and win games that you might normally think ‘we’d take a draw there’.

“But if you draw a lot of home games you need to get results elsewhere – it’s important we pick up as many wins we can at home and nick a couple away as well.”

He added: “It’s eight unbeaten for us and we just keep looking forward to the games coming up.”