Bognor defender: I'll do all I can to end my bench stint

Keaton Wood in Rocks action at Haringey before he lost his starting spot / Picture: Lyn Phillips

The centre-half has been on the sidelines in recent weeks while Joe Cook and Ethan Robb have forged a solid partnership at the heart of the Bognor back-line.

Wood has no complaints but aims to get back in the starting XI... and stay there.

The Rocks are out of action until at least early December with matches off and training banned for non-league step three and below.

Wood, 24, captained a youthful Bognor side to a 2-1 Sussex Senior Cup victory at home to Burgess Hill last week, the club’s final game before the new lockdown.

He said: “I’m pleased Jack and Blakey gave me some more minutes to get back out there and captain the side – it shows they’ve got faith in me and that I’m not forgotten.”

Wood delivered a committed performance and hopes it helps him regain a regular place.

“I want to play every single minute of every game but credit to the boys, they’ve come in and done excellently. Having competition for places is what makes the team better and I’ll keep knocking on the door until I’m back in,” he said.

Since the 5-0 FA Cup defeat to Hayes & Yeading six weeks ago, Pearce and Blake have used Robb, normally a midfielder, at centre-half in place of Wood. And the Rocks have prospered in that time.

But Wood takes confidence from the win against Burgess Hill, in which he played alongside Cook.

The duo formed a fruitful partnership before the first lockdown as the Rocks pushed for the play-offs.

Wood said after the Hillians game: “It was difficult having not played for a while but being alongside a player like Joe Cook made it a lot easier. When you’ve a player of that calibre in the squad, it makes everyone else want to perform.

“Having good communication and being disciplined in our positioning was the key for both of us.”

Bognor’s rich form has generated a positive atmosphere in the dressing room and the young squad believe they can push for promotion.

Wood added: “We’re buzzing – we just want to keep winning and bringing the crowds in. Obviously, right now, that’s got to end but hopefully we’ve given the fans belief we can kick on and achieve something.”