Life a Ball for hotshot David

Fleetwood Town's David Ball is congratulated by Devante Cole after scoring Fleetwood's 2nd goal

After five games without a goal, Ball was delighted to find the net twice in Tuesday’s 3-0 home win over Shrewsbury.

That brace saw the 26-year-old overtake Ash Hunter as Town’s top scorer with eight for the campaign.

Ball and Hunter are just two of ex-Manchester City striker Uwe Rosler’s many forward options for Saturday’s game at AFC Wimbledon, with on-loan Burnley striker Chris Long back in contention after serving a three-match ban for violent conduct.

Devante Cole, Aaron Amadi-Holloway, Alex Jakubiak and even centre-half Cian Bolger have also featured up front this campaign.

Ball believes all of the forwards bring something different to the table. He said: “All the strikers are bringing different parts of the game.

“I think it is good and healthy. We have all sat out (games) when we probably needed to, when we have had knocks, and whoever has come in has done the business.

“Luckily we have lads now on the bench who can come in and make that difference again.

Wing-back Conor McLaughlin opened the scoring late in the first half on Tuesday, then Ball sealed victory with goals in the 53rd and 73rd minutes. The striker was pleased with the way Town continued to push for more goals, rather than sitting back, and he believes that is the philosophy they should continue to pursue.

He said: “In the first 20 minutes they sussed us out a little bit and they were hard to break down.

“I think as we got into the game more we got the wing-backs into the game. You can see that with Conor scoring and Devante’s done well again.”

As for his goals, Ball added: “If I can get in there that is my type of finishing. I like to hit through as much as I can and I’m delighted with the two goals.

“I think I got that bit of luck with my first goal for putting my head in there in the first place and Amari’i (Bell) has found me.

“I think that after the second goal we really went on and did not go backwards. We kept going for more goals and it is brilliant to see.

“We’ve sat back before and it has maybe cost us a couple of points.

“The gaffer has been on at us to keep going because we have got the legs in the team to do that and we have the substitutes to freshen it up, so there is no reason we can’t keep going. “

And Ball was pleased Town picked up their first clean sheet in six games.

He said: “Nathan Pond (centre-half) leads by example. Ever since I have been here he has done that and I’m delighted for them to get the clean sheet.”