Charlie Moone might not have banged Hampton & Richmond Borough boss Alan Dowson’s door down to ask why he has been on the bench recently, but that does not mean he was happy about it.
Moone spent much of October on the sidelines as the Beavers enjoyed an eight-match winning run – ended at East Thurrock United on Saturday.
The Station Road hero started and scored two goals – worth £2,700 in prize money – in last week’s 2-1 FA Trophy replay triumph over Lewes before starting the 2-1 defeat to United.
Experienced men Eddie Hutchinson, Kieran Murphy and Richard Pacquette have also been used sparingly this term.
And Moone, who netted a hat-trick in Tuesday’s 4-0 Middlesex Charity Cup win over Bedfont & Feltham to take his haul to 11 goals in 17 appearances, reckons old heads know to wait their turn.
“We have been getting results so you have to respect the manager’s decision. He lives and dies by that decision,” he said last week.
“That is not to say I do not believe I should be in the team, but maturity says that while you are winning you cannot complain.
"Competition for places is healthy and it is healthy for people to be unhappy they are not playing, but anyone complaining at the moment does not have a leg to stand on.
"All the players in this squad are important. It is a long season and there are times where everyone is going to be used."
He added: "Goals are what make me tick. I pride myself on scoring goals.
"My numbers still stack up this season even though I have not been starting so much.
"I love the responsibility of scoring goals and love the feeling of the team depending on me to score. Goals win games at the end of the day and that is what I believe I bring."
Hampton host AFC Sudbury in the FA Trophy tomorrow.
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