Billy tipping Parker to continue run (From Surrey Comet)

Billy tipping Parker to continue run

2:32pm Tuesday 15th December 2009

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Billy Smith has lavished praise on striker Simon Parker as the frontman continues to spark Tooting & Mitcham’s Ryman Premier play-off surge.

Parker struck for the fourth successive league game at the weekend, notching a first half winner as the Terrors saw off second-placed Hastings United 1-0 at Imperial Fields.

And boss Smith reckons the signing of the 30-year-old former AFC Hornchurch star earlier in the campaign could have been a master-stroke.

He said: “Simon is a very good player and to be honest, at this level, he is one of the best players I have ever worked with.

“He always wants the ball and he very rarely gives it away.

“He gets you some goals but he is a lot more than that - his link up play is excellent and he brings other people into the game.

“He always listens to what you tell him and when he goes out there and does his stuff other people follow his lead.”

Parker’s eighth goal of the campaign earned a crucial three points as Tooting maintained their top-five spot, still with games in hand.

And Smith admitted it had been a tough day at the office.

He added: “It was a very close game but I thought we shaded it.

“We got the goal in the first half but if anything we played a lot better after the break.

“We had a few players back at the weekend and it was probably the strongest bench I have had in my time here.

“It gives me a few selection problems now but that is not a problem for me.”

The Terrors travel to struggling Waltham Abbey this weekend as they look to maintain their current run, but Smith is not expecting an easy ride.

He added: “We played them first game of the season and I did not think they were that bad a side.

“Their results of late have not been that bad and we need to stay focused.”

Tooting & Mitcham’s next three matches: Dec 19 Waltham Abbey (a), 21 AFC Wimbledon (LSC, h), 26 Kingstonian (h)

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