Football: Prolific Bradford Town striker Matt Minnis says he enjoyed a season beyond his wildest dreams after reaching a half-century of goals on Saturday.

The former Trowbridge Town hitman has been in stunning form all season for the Toolstation First Division side and netted twice in their final game against Elmore to bring his tally to 51.

Minnis, 22, says injury problems have curtailed his progress in previous years but he has reaped the benfits of being able to feature in every game this campaign.

“It’s been my best season yet,” he said. “In the past I’ve always had a niggle or a knock which has made me miss games but that didn’t happen this time.

“I set myself a target of 40 goals before the season and I thought I was pushing myself with that.

“Then I had nearly 30 by Christmas and started to think about getting 50 but I never thought it would be possible.”

Minnis came through the ranks at Bath City Youth and endured a brief, unhappy spell at Melksham Town before flourishing after signing for Trowbridge aged 18.

He scored 22 goals in the league for them last season before signing for Bradford last summer, with several of his teammates.

Despite his haul of 45 league goals this term, Minnis narrowly missed out on the league’s Golden Boot award to his close friend Ben Highmore.

The Larkhall Athletic striker scored three on the final day to claim the crown and Minnis says the ongoing duel was a motivating factor for him all season.

“It was a friendly rivalry,” he joked. “We were always phoning and asking how the other had got on.

“My two goals against Elmore brought me level with him but then he hit a hat-trick to finish on 48.”

Highmore’s performances earned him a spell at Chippenham Town earlier in the season and Minnis says that, while he is loyal to Bradford, he would find a move to the Southern League or higher hard to turn down.

“I haven’t had any managers get in touch so far and I’ve just signed on for another year at Bradford,” he said.

“I don’t think there’s too much of a difference between the Western Premier and First Division so moving up one step wouldn’t interest me.

“I’d love to play at a higher level, though, like at Chippenham’s standard, and would jump straight in if offered it. But I’m at a good team at the moment and enjoying it, so why change?”