HE WAS the ‘Man of Mystery’ who lit up Tranmere’s recent win over Vauxhall Motors, and now we know what the capital H stood for on the teamsheet – Hot-shot!
‘Trialist H’ registered four second-half goals against the West Cheshire League side’s tiring Step 7 defenders that day three weeks ago.
While Rovers boss Gary Brabin tried to keep the on-trial hitman’s identity secret, the 21-year-old player bowed to pressure from fans on social media and outed himself as Jonny Margetts.
“Everyone was asking on Twitter if it was me, so I had to – it was doing my head in,” says Margetts, the godson of Ossett Town manager John Reed who added another strike against Step 3 side Marine seven days later.
On Wednesday night, Margetts celebrated earning a one-year deal by bagging his first goals at Prenton Park in a 3-1 win over Everton U21s, taking his pre-season tally to seven.
Now the forward has his eyes on the Vanarama National League‘s golden boot as he looks to establish himself as a first-team player after a frustrating time at Hull City, who released him this summer following relegation from the Premier League.
The man who hit ten goals in 13 matches during a loan spell with Conference North side Gainsborough Trinity last year told The NLP: “I had a great time at Gainsborough and scored a lot of goals.
“It took me a few games to get used to the physicality and direct style of play in that division, but I grew up a lot in those 13 games.
“You adapt your game and I think it will stand me in good stead for this year.
Chances
“I haven’t set a target as such, but I want to be the top scorer in the league this year. I was talking to my dad about it and I don’t see why I can’t be.
“I don’t enjoy my football as much when I don’t find the net. I beat myself up about it.
“The main thing is the team winning, but as a striker you want to be on the scoresheet. The way the team is shaping up with the chances the players around me create, I’ll always fancy myself to score.”
On his impressive pre-season form, the Yorkshireman added: “It’s always good to get off to a good start. You try and show your team-mates and the manager how good you are.
“You want to make yourself the number one striker who can’t be dropped – in the team week in, week out. That’s what I’m aiming for now.”
Rovers start the campaign as bookies favourites, with Brabin’s new signings reaching double figures yesterday with experienced keeper Ian Turner’s arrival.
“The pressure is on us this year,” said Margetts. “It makes it harder with people looking at us being THE team. They will come to Prenton Park, a big ground, and say ‘We want to put one over on the big-timers’.
“We’ve got to learn to handle that and try to overcome it.”
