Our squad has been brilliant - Benjamin

Apr 16 2007 By Brian Halford, Birmingham Mail

LOAN striker Trevor Benjamin struck the goal that clinched Walsall's promotion but was quick to hand credit for the feat to the rest of the squad.

Benjamin's second goal of his loan spell from Peterborough ensured that a season's graft, planning, skill and application will culminate in the Saddlers' deserved return to League One.

And the 28-year-old is well aware that his winner at Meadow Lane was the icing on a cake built by eight months of sweat from Messrs Keates, Dobson, Westwood, Ince and co.

"I scored the goal that clinched it but the lads have been brilliant all season," Benjamin said. "I have come here and hopefully added a little bit but they have done all the hard work.

"Promotion is always a great achievement and we have done it by working hard and sticking together at times when the chips are down.

"The party has already started, but it will be back to business on Monday. We will be back in training and then kick on from there and, come next Saturday, hopefully we will be celebrating again.

"It would be great to go up as champions because that's what every club aims for. It's nice to get promoted, but at the end of the day, there is nothing like finishing top of the pile if you can."

With his 85th-minute winner, Benjamin has ensured that, even if his stay at Bescot spans only two months, he is in club folklore long-term.

"I had to settle myself down to shoot because of the bounce of the ball," the striker said. "But I managed to put it in the bottom corner. Every goal is a good goal to a centre-forward and every goal builds your confidence, so hopefully now I can push on again."