WAGING a tenner on Justin Thompson to score first for Worcester City could so easily pave the way to a swift killing.

Defender Thompson finally broke his City duck in Saturday's 1-0 win at Northwich Victoria, but not for the want of trying.

The tall Canadian threatens in almost every game, his height lending itself to cause havoc from set-pieces.

However, the 25-year-old international does not solely base his 6ft 4in frame on delivering danger in opponents' penalty boxes.

For Thompson belongs in the association of strikers-turned-defenders. And he was a good striker too back on North American territory.

On the other side of the Atlantic, Thompson was fairly prolific, often leading the scoring charts at Fairfield Stags, his University soccer side based in Connecticut.

He also led the line for Canada's youth set-ups before converting to central defence.

"I played as a striker growing up," revealed Thompson. "In my first couple of years at Fairfield, I was up front.

"They recruited me as a striker and I still fancy myself as a bit of a striker.

"I like getting into the box and I always think I can score. That's a striker's mentality.

"At about 18 or 19 I was with the youth national team and the national coach wanted an extra bit of cover at the back. So I started training in defence.

"I still played up front for them, but then I progressed to Canada's Olympic team and converted into a centre-half.

"Some of the other forwards progressed a bit quicker than me and got those spots, so I slotted in at the back."

Now that Thompson has banished a six-month wait to net his first City goal, the Maple Leafs man anticipates a flurry of more and may stake a flutter.

He added: "I've been meaning to put a bet on myself to score every week and I forget.

"I always score in bunches, so hopefully there will be more coming soon.

"I've been a bit unfortunate before now, but I've not been too disappointed. I have not really missed good chances.

"I've been putting everything on target, trying to keep it down and make the goalkeeper work.

"To be fair, goalkeepers have made some very good saves over the last couple of weeks and we've scored off some rebounds. So I have contributed offensively."

Thompson accepts that set-pieces represent one of City's attacking strengths and he, along with fellow centre-halves Des Lyttle, Chris Smith and Dennis Pearce, must help provide goals.

He added: "We've got some big bodies, so when we go up, the guys at the back are always looking to score.

"Smudger (Smith) and Des have got a couple this season. Everybody thinks they can score when they go up and that's half the battle.

"Every time I get in the box, I think I can score. I get into good positions and always get power behind the ball to head it down.

"To be fair, we have to credit Andy (Preece) and Jock (Andy Morrison) for our set-pieces. Jock spends a lot of time going over them.

"There's been a number of times this year where he's come to the training ground all excited because he has seen a new set-piece from somewhere. He's always thinking ahead."