Kyle revels in Portuguese experience (From Dorset Echo)

Kyle revels in Portuguese experience

9:26am Monday 8th March 2010 in

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BUOYED by his involvement with the Wales semi-professional squad, Dorchester defender Kyle Critchell is raring to go ahead of tomorrow’s trip to Hampton & Richmond.

The 23-year-old played the full 90 minutes as the Dragons suffered a 7-2 defeat at the hands of Portugal Under-23s in last Wednesday’s International Challenge Trophy clash.

Although never one to accept defeat, Critchell was content with the scoreline as the home nation’s line-up boasted two full internationals as well as players from the likes of Porto, Sporting Lisbon and Benfica.

Reflecting on the class of opposition, Critchell, who was born in Dorset but has a Welsh mother, said: “It was a strong line-up with some Portuguese internationals in it but it was a good experience even though we did lose.

“They could’ve scored at any time but it was a thoroughly enjoyable experience for me.

“I played the whole 90 minutes. I started at centre-back, then went to left-back in the second half and then to central midfield for the last 25 minutes.

“I was in the squad a couple of years ago but the personnel has changed dramatically. The lads were good though and the vast majority of them were from the Welsh Premier League.

“It’s testimony to the lads that we did score two goals against a side that had Premier League-quality players, including one or two who, supposedly, are in with a shout of going to the World Cup in South Africa.

“I’m just happy I got called up and got the chance to play. There’s another game against Poland in October I think so hopefully I’ll be involved then.”

First and foremost, the former Southampton man is keen to help the Magpies recover from the hangover of last Tuesday’s frustrating defeat at St Albans.

He added: “I rang Ashley Vickers after my game on Wednesday and had a chat about the St Albans match the night before. He said the lads thoroughly deserved to get something out of the game, despite having no where near a fully fit squad.

“We’re all looking forward to tomorrow’s game where hopefully we’ll get three points.”

Critchell, who returned to training on Saturday, hopes the lack of a competitive match at the weekend will see the Magpies close to full strength for tomorrow’s encounter with the Beavers.

He said: “For myself and the some of the lads that were ill in the week it was vital that we didn’t have a game on Saturday. Having said that I can’t wait to get back out there again.”