Ricky Ravenhill column

It doesn’t seem like I’ve ever been away after playing my first game of the season on Wednesday.

It was a good feeling to get 70 minutes under my belt for the reserves at Port Vale. I’ve had to wait a long time for that.

You cannot beat being in the dressing room again and putting your boots on before going out to play a game. That’s what you’re in football for and there’s nothing more frustrating than being injured and unable to take part.

It’s hard work day in day out in the gym and it’s a slow process building up your fitness again. That first match back cannot come soon enough.

Before the game, I just wanted to come through without a problem but as soon as I was on the pitch, I didn’t think about it.

I got a few tackles in, nothing ridiculous, but it was just nice to be involved.

They had a strong team out and Ross and I were the only senior players in ours so it was a tough game with a lot of chasing. But that’s probably just what I needed.

We’ve got a busy run coming up now and we’re going to need everybody at some stage, so it’s good to be back in the fold.

The first month is out of the way and people are starting to look at certain teams and those who are likely to go well. Give it another few weeks and things will start to pan out.

These two home games are the perfect chance to get some more points on the board. We’ve had a couple of tricky ones away and these are the type we are targeting to make our move.

Obviously Barnet have had a difficult start but they are going to win at some stage – let’s just make sure it’s not against us.

But as long as we go out there and perform as we have done in our previous home games then I’m sure we will be fine.