ROOKIE boss and reluctant player Darren Curtis is hoping his return to action with New Milton Town will take years off him.

Curtis, who hung up his boots to take his first managerial post with Linnets at the start of the season, has been pressed into service due to an injury crisis.

And the 31-year-old played his part as New Milton ended a run of six straight Wessex Premier defeats by claiming their first points following back-to-back draws with Blackfield & Langley and Downton.

“I felt 54 and couldn’t get out of bed after the Downton game!” joked defender Curtis, who was a trainee at Fulham during Kevin Keegan’s reign.

“When I first took the job, I said I wouldn’t play. But we had an injury and I had to step in against Blackfield. I enjoyed it and got back the buzz. When you get a good result, you want to keep together the same team.

“It was nice to be able to lead from the front and show them what I wanted from them. I may not be the best ball player in the world but I will always work hard and I think they bounced off that.

“We needed more communication and that is something I am known for. I talk a lot and it seemed to rub off on the players. Everyone is taking responsibility now, whereas before, I felt a few were shirking and weren’t taking games by the scruff of the neck. We did that against Blackfield and Downton.

“But it certainly wasn’t just down to me. It was down to the whole team and we are getting a bit of stability now. Sometimes, a player can come in and shake things up a bit and maybe I did that.”

Curtis could again be in line to feature when Linnets host Horndean at Fawcett’s Field tomorrow (3pm), although Callum Tanner is still sidelined through injury.

Linnets: (from) Hookway, Blackburn, Pidgley, Curtis, Fox, Egerton, Barge, Molloy, Donaldson, Sampays, De’ath, Booker, Ramos, Whitcher, Morris.

  •  Christchurch will be looking to bounce back following their first league defeat of the season when they host Hamworthy United at Hurn Bridge (3pm).

Priory, beaten 2-0 at Alresford six days ago, would return to the summit should they avoid defeat against the Hammers as leaders Moneyfields are not in action.

Also in Wessex Premier, Poppies host Downton, while Wessex One rivals Ringwood Town and Fleet Spurs do battle at Canotec Stadium (both 3pm).