Despite scoring two goals in his last two games for Chester FC , Oluwaseun Akintunde knows he can ill afford to take his foot off the gas.
The Blues striker came off the bench in the 5-0 win over Dover Athletic on Saturday to nod home the fifth and followed that performance up by scoring the winner 15 minutes from time in the 1-0 success at North Ferriby United having been handed a start by manager Jon McCarthy.
It was Akintunde’s third goal of the season for the Blues and he caught the eye in the second half as he terrorised the North Ferriby defence with his pace.
But despite staking his claim for a starting spot, Akintunde knows that he will have to work harder than ever to make sure he stays there, with Kane Richards and James Alabi also challenging for a berth.
“It was amazing for me to get the winner and be able to contribute but I know that I’m going to have to work even harder now,” said Akintunde, who signed for Chester in the summer after being released by League Two side Cambridge United.
“You also have Kane and James in my position so we all push each other on and we have really healthy competition for places. You know that if the gaffer gives you your chance then you have to take it otherwise it will be given to someone else.
“I’ve waited for my chance and I think I have done OK in the past couple of games but it is what the team do that matters.
“The boys have been different class recently and we just want to keep on doing what we are doing at the moment because it’s working.”
The 20-year-old hailed the preparation of the Blues management team of McCarthy and assistant Ian Sharps as key to their last two victories, citing their attention to detail.
“Fair play to the gaffer and the assistant manager, they told us in detail how Dover and North Ferriby would set up and what they would try and do and that is exactly what happened,” he said.
“We all knew what our jobs were and what to expect and we got the job done in the end.
“The fans were amazing throughout and that was a big plus too as well as the fact we have a real bond as a team and a great spirit and that is showing.”
Chester moved into 10th place in the National League after their win in East Yorkshire and now sit just five points off the play-off places, but Akintunde says that nobody is getting carried away.
“We’ve done really well but we just take every game as it comes and try not to put too much pressure on ourselves,” said the Londoner.
“We are just trying to keep going and keep enjoying our football and seeing where it takes us.
“We aren’t letting ourselves get carried away, though. The gaffer keeps our feet on the ground and we just concentrate on the next game.
“Hopefully we can get another three points and keep another clean sheet and keep going.”
