PICTURE: George Davidson

IS THERE a golden boot in EBAC Northern League Division One?
If there is, then Liam Henderson is right in the thick of the chase for the trophy. The centre-forward has been in lethal form for Morpeth Town, scoring 18 goals this season. After a stint at the end of the calendar year of seven goals in five games, Henderson was being touted as a potential top scorer in the top tier. Injury at Ashington on Boxing Day has curtailed his scoring statistics but he is still among a chasing pack looking to hunt down West Auckland Town’s Nathan Fisher who leads the way with 26 league goals. But when you talk about the scoring charts with Henderson – who is actually decent friends with the West Auckland front man – he is far from keen to focus on the competition.
“No chance, I’m not the best striker in the league,” Henderson told The Highwaymen. “There is a lot of quality in the league so I think I’m up there but I’m not the best. Fish is my mate and he is a very good striker. But I don’t compare myself to him. I don’t ever look at how many goals he has. If I score, happy days, but if I don’t and the team gets three points then it is OK with me. Id’ like to think I bring more to the team than goals.
“I want to come out scoring goals but as long as the team is winning then it doesn’t matter too much to me.”
At Craik Park, there is intense competition for places; despite Henderson tipping 100 appearances for The Highwaymen there is no assurances of a starting place in the XI. With former Sunderland striker Stephen Elliott joining the club mid-season, that level of competition moved up a few levels. But for Henderson, it was a chance to raise his game.
“As in aims, I want to score as many goals for Morpeth Town and help get the goals that we need,” continued Henderson.
“A striker gets judged on goals and there is a pressure to that. Us signing Stephen Elliott helps me to raise my game so I can stay in the team.”
Feeling his way back into the team following injury, Henderson is close to full fitness.
“I’ve been in the gym with Shawsy (club sports therapist Steven Shaw) and I feel good but you can never replicate match fitness,” added the front man.