Reggae Boy McCleary wants to ‘keep going’

LONDON, England (CMC):

Veteran Reggae Boy Garath McCleary said he had no intentions of slowing down after scoring a brace last weekend in Wycombe Wanderers' 3-1 thrashing of Carlisle in the English League One.

At 36, the forward is in the twilight of his professional career but has scored four of his six goals since the start of the year to help Wycombe into 11th spot in the league, with only two games remaining in the campaign.

"I don't know. I feel like I can keep going," said McCleary who was part of the Jamaica squad which reached the final of the 2015 Concacaf Gold Cup.

"I'm feeling good. The gaffer (Matt Bloomfield) has given me the platform to perform.

"Certain days if I need some rest, he gives me, but I think I've missed two games this season. I don't know what it is, but long may it continue."

McCleary took the plaudits on Saturday, first tapping in from the goal mouth in the 15th minute to give the visitors a 1-0 lead, and then producing a bullet header in the 75th minute to ensure the points.

In between, Alfie McCalmont levelled for Carlisle in the 28th before Richard Kone put Wycombe ahead again in the 49th.

SENTIMENTAL

McCleary said scoring the goals at Brunton Park had special sentimental value.

"I think it's going back 17 years now; I got my first professional goal for (Nottingham) Forest against Carlisle, so it brings back memories," said McCleary, who made more than 100 appearances in four seasons at City Ground.

"[I stayed] on the keeper [for the first goal] and thankfully it bobbled down to me ... luckily, I was there to prod it in.

"[For the second goal], it's a great ball by Luke (Leahy). I made my mind up to ensure I was around the back post and thankfully it came to me and luckily, I got my head on it first."

He added: "I think all of us were sloppy in the first half. Obviously, going 1-0 up, there were a few misplaced passes - me included - but in the second half we came and showed a lot of professionalism.

GREAT RUN

"The gaffer gave us a bit of a talking to at half-time which we needed but we came out in the second half and I think we've done well."

Wycombe have gone on a great run of form with wins in their last three outings. They take on Cambridge today before wrapping up their season against Charlton at home at Adams Park.

McCleary said they hope to win both games and end in the top 10 in the league.

"I think it is the third win in a week we've had - we've had three games in a week - so it's been fantastic," he said.

"We've got another one coming up against Cambridge on Tuesday. We've set a target; we want to get back into the top 10 so, hopefully, we can win that and see it off in style against Charlton at home."