SOUTHEND United striker Callum Powell is keen to kick on after working his way back onto the score-sheet.

Powell bagged his first goal since November in Saturday’s 2-1 win at Torquay United.

And the 27-year-old is now determined to keep on hitting the back of the net.

“For me it was an important goal on Saturday,” said Powell.

“It had been a long time since I last scored.

“I was out for a while with an injury but since coming back in I think it was seven games or so I hadn’t scored for.

“It was all about getting that first one and hopefully I can go on a run now like I did last time to help us at the most important part of the season.”

“I was really happy to get a goal and contribute to another win.”

Powell bagged the opening goal at Plainmoor as he clinically converted a fine pass from Noor Husin And Powell – who now has eight goals this season - believes the close range finish will do wonders for his confidence.

“Any striker would be lying if they said it doesn’t play on their mind when they aren’t scoring, especially when you’ve been out and you come back in,” said Powell.

“As soon as the ball went in the net I felt a huge weight lifted off my shoulders.

“You feel like you can start to express yourself more and play with more freedom.

“Confidence is the most important thing in football for any player and scoring goals as a striker is the biggest factor in that.

“I think it will stand me in good stead going forward from here.

“Hopefully I can keep on finding the back of the net as much as possible now.”

Powell’s next chance to shine will come on Friday night when the sixth placed Shrimpers host play-off rivals Barnet at Roots Hall.

And the forward is looking forward to the contest.

“Barnet are in good form but so are we,” said Powell.

“We’re doing well, we’re picking up good wins and it will be a good game.

“Hopefully the crowd will get behind us and we will have a good turn out at home.

“We put in a great performance against them away and we’ll be looking to do the same again on Friday.”

Blues will head into the game on a high after their hard-fought triumph at Torquay.

And Powell felt the victory came despite Kevin Maher’s side not being at their best.

“If I’m brutally honest the performance as a whole wasn’t the best,” said Powell.

“The most important thing is the result given everything that’s going on at the moment it says a lot about the character and personality we’ve got in the changing room.

“We never say never.

“Cav (Miley) got the late winner and the celebrations were unbelievable to be involved in.

“It was a really important three points away from home.”

The memorable victory came despite the club’s off-field issues which include another appearance in the high court on Wednesday due to a winding up petition issued by HMRC.

But Powell will continue to focus on football.

“I do think sometimes you can overlook what we’re actually doing,” said Powell.

“We’re lucky enough to be full-time footballers in the first place.

“We’re doing something we love but obviously there are circumstances which aren’t ideal.

“All we can do is concentrate on the task in hand and that’s getting in the play-offs and trying to get promoted.

“We will give everything we possibly can and leave the stuff in the background for other people to sort.

“Everyone has their fingers crossed it will be addressed in the immediate future and we can get back to a bit of normality.”

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