Histon goalkeeper Sam Roach hopes there is plenty more to come after making his 200th appearance for the club

Sam Roach made a landmark 200th appearance for Histon at the weekend.

The goalkeeper started out in the youth ranks at Bridge Road before leaving to join Leyton Orient.

He returned to the Stutes for a brief loan spell in 2016/17 but upon being released by Orient he linked up with Mildenhall Town.

However, Roach rejoined Histon on a permanent basis in January 2018 and has been a near ever present since then.

The 23-year-old said: “I really like the club. I was here when I was 11 or 12 and then since I’ve been back it’s been great.

“I’ve got a good relationship with Lance (Key, manager) and there’s a really good atmosphere within the club.

“There has never really been the option to leave, but that’s because I’ve never put it out there that I wanted to.

“I’m happy to have made 200 appearances already, especially as I’m only 23. Hopefully there is plenty more to come.”

Roach has been one of the key performers in Histon’s recent run of positive form in the Uhlsport United Counties League Premier Division South.

They battled back from being two goals down to draw 2-2 at home with Cogenhoe United at the weekend, which extended their unbeaten sequence to nine matches.

And during that ongoing streak, Roach has kept seven clean sheets to help push Histon up to fifth, eight points adrift of second-placed Coventry Sphinx.

“Everyone is together now,” he added. “We’re good mates in the changing room and it’s all flowing better.

“At the start of the season we were still getting to know each other a bit and obviously the season before that was tough.

“But there is a real togetherness in the group and we just want to carry on going.

“You never know what can happen at this level so we’ve just got to keep picking up the points.

“Teams could drop points above us so if we carry on our form you never know what might happen.”

And one of the leading factors in Histon’s good run of late has been Roach’s instincts at penalties, having saved the last four that have been awarded against his team.

“I just try to get into the striker’s mind and look him in the eyes,” he said.

“I never know that I’m going to save it because I’m the underdog and they have the advantage, but I can put the pressure on. My record is really good and I’m confident whenever I face one.”

Histon host Eastington Sports on Saturday (March 18).