Joe Rodwell-Grant says he’s loving his time on loan with Bamber Bridge, while admitting it’s the ‘best of both worlds’ that he’s still able to train with PNE and feature in Central League fixtures.
The young forward joined Jamie Milligan’s side in October on loan – a deal which has recently been extended until 1st January – and he’s helped them reach the summit of the Northern Premier League Premier Division table.
Rodwell-Grant is still able to train with North End, though, as well as featuring in Central League fixtures, which he feels is benefitting his development.
“That’s the best of both worlds,” he said. “Before the loan I wasn’t playing, I was just training with them – which is good, I’ve improved loads – but just to get that match fitness back and dust off any cobwebs I had with not playing for quite a bit, it’s good to do that.
“I’m loving it [at Bamber Bridge]. It’s really good just to get some minutes in because prior to that I was just playing the reserve games, so it’s good to get minutes in Saturday, Tuesday. I’m doing well, I scored the other week and we’re top of the league so it’s good.
“I’ve extended my loan there until January, which is obviously another good thing, so I can get some more minutes in and try and help Bamber Bridge stay at the top of the league.”
Also at Brig is fellow PNE first-year professional Lewis Coulton, who featured alongside Joe in Tuesday’s Central League Cup draw with Morecambe at Euxton.
The forward put North End ahead in the first half with a clever touch, turn and finish, but a goal in the second half pegged the Lilywhites back.
Joe said: “It was good coming in at half-time 1-0 up, it was good to get a goal as well.
“I thought the team did really well in the first half, but Morecambe’s team was really strong. That was the team that started in League One at the start of the season so it was good.
“There was loads of young lads playing [for PNE], so it was good to test ourselves against good opposition and I thought we did well.”
The 19-year-old was also pleased with the goal he scored 26 minutes in, crediting his hard work on the training pitch.
He added: “It was good. I’ve just turned the centre half and smashed it in. I’ve been working with Tommo [Steve Thompson], Gally [Paul Gallagher] and Jack Cudworth after training, doing extra finishing, and that’s obviously paid off. I’ve just got to keep that going.”
Hear more from Joe in his full interview on iFollow PNE at the top of the page.