Jed Ward has reflected on his one-month loan to Prescot Cables after arriving from League Two side Bristol Rovers.
Following the red card to Mitch Allen against Mossley, Prescot Cables were forced to go into the shop window for a temporary shot-stopper after their number one’s dismissal.
As a result, manager Kevin Lynch managed to acquire one of Joey Barton’s youth players at the Gas and snap him up on an emergency loan.
In three games, the relegation-fighters were beaten twice by Widnes and Leek Town before they picked up an invaluable three points against Colne.
Reflecting on his loan, Ward expressed his gratitude and happiness for the role he played at his temporary home.
Discussing how the original move transpired, he told Off The Park: “I came to training and Eddy Jenno [Jennings] who helps the gaffer with moves and stuff pulled me in for a chat and said there’s a bit of interest from Prescot, they’ve had a red card and they’re looking for a ‘keeper.
“I wasn’t playing games at the time so I thought yeah, I don’t care where the team is in the country, I want to play games, I want to get out, show what I’m about. So I said yeah and it went from there.
“After every game, he asked me how I got on, what I could’ve improved on, he was asking about the level and standard, who was good with me and helped me when I was up there,” he said when asked how Barton’s discussions throughout his spell in Liverpool.
“I really enjoyed my time at Prescot, even though it was two losses and one win, I still felt everyone was really welcoming.
“I enjoyed every game, I felt I was busy in the games which is what I wanted but it was lovely to finish on a win and a clean sheet, to make that save at 1-0 it made me feel like I played my part in that game.
“The balls come over the top, he’s took on one of our players one-on-one, cut inside and I thought I need to get out to this because if he shoots he has a good chance of scoring,” he said describing the important save from their 2-0 win against fellow strugglers Colne.
“He’s taken a touch inside, I’ve ran out, made myself as big as I can, I’ve stretched my arm out and as soon as it hit my hand I had to get on the ball and smother it. As soon as I made that save, the feeling was brilliant. Keeping the clean sheet and keeping the win in tact.
“The team have a great chance of staying up, great bunch of players. Like you’ve seen in the performances, we’ve played well against top teams, against Leek the result didn’t reflect the performance. I think they’ve got a great chance of staying up if they keep pushing.
“I’ve got until the end of the season now, I want another loan get out and play some more games, keep impressing the right people. Then see where it goes next from there next year.”
Cables manager Lynch left glowing praise on the 18-year-old, he said: “I’d like to put on record about Jed, he’s in the England set-up, he’s got a bright future, to come in as a young lad, not knowing the players was a testament to how good he was.
“Some of the crucial saves in the game were excellent. After the game, all the players gave him an applause and thanked him for his services.”
[Featured image: John Middleton]
