It’s been a whirlwind couple of days for Oldham Athletic goalkeeper Connor Ripley.
After helping Latics to a clean sheet on Saturday against Walsall, the Middlesbrough loanee became a father for the first time on Monday night as his partner gave birth to a boy which they named Luca.
A sleepless night followed but Ripley was still on a high going into last night’s game against Northampton Town.
Chairman Simon Corney heard of the news and promised the goalkeeper a bonus of 200 free nappies should he keep a clean sheet against the Cobblers.
The goalkeeper had to be alert on occasions but he did register a clean sheet, his second in two games and the chairman delivered on his promise.
"I made a reaction save early in the game. I put my right hand up, saved it and it hit me in the face and luckily the striker hit the rebound over the crossbar. That’s what I’m there for. I’m there to stop the ball going into the back of the net.”
Whilst the goalkeeper adjusts to fatherhood, he is fully focused on Oldham Athletic and believes the club are heading in the right direction.
“We played Walsall and I thought we should have won that game and I thought we were amazing tonight and should have won again,” Ripley admitted.
“We don’t look like we are going to concede a goal with Peter Clarke and Cameron Burgess in front of me and they are both really good.”
Confidence is high amongst the players heading into this weekend’s local derby against Bury.
“Everyone is happy, everyone is joking and we are starting to learn each others games, runs and things like that,” said Ripley.
"We are very confident at the moment and we’ve got Bury on Saturday and we look forward to that.
"Plenty of people have let me know how important a win on Saturday would be. It’s a derby, every team has one and this is a big one and I’m wanting three points from the game.”
Watch the full interview on Latics PlayerHD.