Joe Fitzpatrick out to prove Boston United wrong with AFC Telford

The 19-year-old midfielder left the Pilgrims a few weeks ago to rejoin the Bucks, and has started all three games since coming back.

His spell at the New Bucks Head earlier in the season was fairly brief. Fitzpatrick made five appearances – four as a substitute.

He scored one goal, a screamer in a 1-1 draw at FC Halifax Town on December 17 and then started against Alfreton Town on Boxing Day.

By the new year though, almost out of nowhere, he had left to join Boston and work under Adam Murray – who used to manage Mansfield Town, and handed Fitzpatrick three appearances in League Two there.

"It wasn't anything to do with Telford why I left," he said.

"The players and the management team were all really good to me, and I really enjoyed my first spell here.

"I just wanted to get the chance to play under Adam Murray again, as he gave me a chance at Mansfield.

"I started well at Boston, playing a few games, but then I didn't have the best of games and lost my place and that's how things work out sometimes."

In total, Fitzpatrick played five times for the Pilgrims – who are 15th in the National League North table, three points and one place above the Bucks.

Telford chief Rob Smith snapped him up on non-league deadline day and believes he has fantastic potential, comparing him to Chris Clements and Jamey Osborne – who he managed at Hednesford Town, and now play for Grimsby Town in League Two. On deciding to leave Boston, Fitzpatrick revealed the long journeys to Lincolnshire played a big part and said: "That was really the main point where I decided I had to leave – the travelling was killing me.

"It wasn't so bad for training but on a match day, or if you were meeting the manager, it was pretty tough.

"It was a good experience. I enjoyed my time there and it was a chance to play with some good, experience players in this league."

Telford go into the game having won their last two, while Boston have picked up four points from their last two games.

When asked if the Bucks are in a position to go out and be confident at York Street, Fitzpatrick said: "I think we are – we are looking really strong.

"We have got the two wins. Yes, they may not have been the best to watch but we dug in deep and showed a lot of character to get those wins."

On what to expect from Boston, and their style of play, he added: "Boston are a good team.

"Their pitch is not in the best condition at the moment so they may not play as much football as they would like to. They can get the ball down and pass it around – and then they are good from set-pieces, and can be quite direct looking for the strikers.

"It's going to be a tough game for us but we are feeling good."

Telford are due to be without Dave Hibbert (quad), Jon Royle (groin), Paul McCone (ankle) and Jack Rea (toe) for this one.