Toll commits future to Downham after Corby Town approach

Fletcher Toll has rejected a move to Corby Town as the striker looks to help Downham Town reach the Thurlow Nunn Premier Division play-offs.The Steelmen, managed by former Linnets boss Gary Setchell, lodged a seven-day approach for Toll’s services but the young frontman has opted to remain at the SCL Memorial Field.Toll, 18, said: “I’ve committed myself to Downham for the remainder of the season as since I’ve arrived I’ve had no pressure put on me to score goals.”I have been allowed to play football how I like to play and, having already moved clubs this season, I just felt it wasn’t the right time for me to move clubs again.”I have just hit a good run of form and my confidence is high right now, so I want to continue that for the rest of the season.“Downham have been a great help in my progress since I have arrived and it has given me the freedom to just go out and play and, because of the style of football they play, I’ve started scoring goals.”It’s always a good feeling knowing that you’re being looked at by other clubs, especially clubs in higher leagues and they’re recognising how well you are performing.”I do have ambitions of playing a higher level but right now I just felt it wasn’t the right time.”The teenager has hit a real purple patch for Downham since his arrival in November, scoring 15 goals in as many games.He currently sits just two goals behind Mulbarton Wanderers frontman Ashley Jarvis in the scoring charts with 20 goals to his name in all competitions.And after sharing the Golden Boot for Heacham during their promotion from the First Division North last season, Toll has his sights on going one better for his new club this term.”I do like to set myself targets,” he said.”As a striker you always want to be the top goalscorer in the league.”If you’d have asked me two or three months ago if I could be top goalscorer I would have said no chance, but I have the self-belief and the belief of my teammates and management that they can give me the best possible chance of achieving that.”Although it raised a few eyebrows at the time, Toll admitted that the switch from Heacham to Downham towards the end of last year was the right move for him.“I think my mindset changed after my switch to Downham,” he said.”At Heacham, I put myself under a lot of pressure on myself. Last season finishing joint top scorer I felt I had a point to prove and I kind of lost myself as a player.“I went from someone who liked linking the play and getting involved with the build-up of goals to just waiting for the ball to come to me.”The switch to Downham came at the perfect time for me. They didn’t put any pressure on me whatsoever to score goals and they already had the likes of Eoin (McQuaid) and James (Moore) scoring.”I feel I have started playing how I used to play, getting involved in build-ups of attacks while the boys are giving me the service to score the goals.”Downham, who host Mulbarton Wanderers in the League Challenge Cup on Wednesday night, will be delighted that Toll has agreed to stay.The club’s management team of Craig Dickson and Dale Stokes have watched the player flourish under their guidance.Fletcher has been superb since joining us,” admitted joint boss Dickson.”His goal return has been incredible but his ability to link the play has been just as impressive and you can see why clubs are looking at him.”We’re delighted he’s decided to stay and I think his goals will give us a real chance in the cup competitions and our push for the play-offs.”We knew Fletcher was a great player, but I feel he has gone up a gear or two since he joined us.”The way we play, he is involved in a lot of our build-up and he’s also been there to finish the moves as well.”He’s developed a superb relationship with James Moore. Two players we are excited to help on their journey up the leagues.Dickson admits the Downham management team would never stand in the player’s way, should an offer from a higher club arrive on the table.”Heacham helped put Fletcher on the map last season and we hope we are helping further with his development.”We’ve had a lot of loyal boys during our time at Downham, however we would like nothing more than to see Fletcher progress to the right club, at the right time.”We’re looking forward to seeing how many goals he ends the season with and have told Fletcher we will support his development when he is ready to move on.”