IT TOOK Josh Galloway a bit of time to adjust to part-time football following his arrival at Galabank last summer.
In the early part of the campaign he showed glimpses of his lightning pace and dazzling skills which earned him a move to Leeds United from Carlisle in 2019.
But the 21-year-old ended up falling out of Athletic’s starting line-up and he found it difficult to get another look in as Annan surged up the table to promotion.
After carrying out some self-reflection during the off-season, the winger has returned in fabulous form. He capped pre-season off with a goal against his old club, Carlisle United, on Friday night.
His slotted finish gave Annan the lead but the Blues overturned the score in the last 10 minutes thanks to strikes from Ben Armer and trialist Stephen Walker.
Now, with competitive action just around the corner, Galloway wants to kick on and earn a move back into the full-time ranks.
Speaking after the Carlisle defeat, he said: “I came into the game with a little bit of butterflies.
“It was nice to see some familiar faces and then to get a goal with my whole family in the stand was a good personal accolade.
“I’ve gone away and I’ve really assessed last season.
“Hopefully by my performances in the last three games it’s shown that I’ve gone away and actually worked on it.
“I started last season off well. Then at Pollok, I’m not going to lie, I had a bad game. Then I done my MCL in my left knee.
“When I came back into it the team was winning, and you can’t change a winning side.
He added: “When I signed at Annan I spoke to the gaffer and said – my goal, however long it takes, is to get back into full-time football. That is all I want to do.
“Over the last year it’s been like a transitional period of leaving the full-time environment and going into a part-time environment.
“Now I’m really getting used to it and I think that’s showing on the pitch now where I’m more confident and enjoying myself more because I’ve adapted to it.
“The aspiration and the dream has always been to get back into full-time football.”
Looking ahead to Annan’s first Viaplay League Cup group match against Kilmarnock, Galloway said: “Going there is another good test for us. It’s another top opposition that we can play against and see what levels we’re at.”
Boss Peter Murphy was also keen to praise the youngster after Friday night, he said: “Josh has come back with that little bit of desire to go and achieve. The Morton game and tonight, I thought he was excellent.
“It’s all positive at the minute, but then next week and the games we are coming into are the important games.”
