DOM Marsala is in the process of making a silk purse out of a pig’s ear of a season.

The Chesham winger missed the start of it with ankle ligament damage, drifted to the periphery at a club he loves and eventually asked to leave in the midst of a bleak mid-winter.

A move to Arlesey was hastily organised, but within weeks it had turned sour for Marsala and he wanted out.

He said: “I just didn’t enjoy it there. The fans weren’t the same, the club wasn’t run the same.

“I’ve only been at Chesham for a few years but it’s my home.”

A phone call to Generals captain Danny Talbot paved the way for his return, and even though he was not guaranteed a start and there was talk of sending him out on loan, the 23-year-old could not wait to retrace his steps.

He said: “I just wanted to be back at Chesham and back with the lads again. Apart from this season I’ve really enjoyed it there and I just wanted to get back to enjoying my football again.

“Andy [Leese, manager] said I might have to go out on loan, but I didn’t care. I just wanted to be there fighting for my place.”

And within days of re-signing he got his chance. Wanting more threat on the bench, Leese handed Marsala the final place in his squad for a crunch game against promotion-chasing Bury on February 6, and it turned out to be a prophetic call.

Top-scorer Leon Archer got injured after half an hour, Marsala was thrown on and six minutes into the second half he repaid the manager’s faith with the equaliser.

Marsala said: “Andy was going to send me out with the reserves that weekend. It was very close.

“I think it was touch and go between me and another player for a place on the bench.

“But it worked out for me and for him. I got my goal and he got his point.”

Marsala hasn’t looked back since.

Three more goals have come in double quick time – a prolific return from a player who scored just 12 in his previous two seasons at the club – and his manager says the transformation is unbelievable.

Leese said: “He’s come back a different player. I didn’t think he’d get in the side and we spoke about a loan, but circumstances conspired to give him a chance and he’s taken it.

“He’s starting on merit now. He looks like the player he was two years ago and I’m delighted for him.

“He’s getting better all the time and he looks like he could have a real impact on the rest of the season.”

Fitness is one area Marsala has improved.

With most of the fixtures off during a snow-torn December and January, Marsala used the free time to pound the streets.

It’s been a change in attitude that has really made the difference though.

He said: “The first half of the season was really frustrating. It was a rough ride. I wasn’t starting and I wasn’t doing much for the team when I did come on.

“But I’m taking a different approach now. I don’t expect to start on Saturday. I will just continue to work hard and if I am lucky enough to get picked then I’ll give it my all.”

Chesham play Leighton Town tomorrow.

They beat Bromsgrove 2-0, Marsala scoring both goals, last Saturday while Monday’s trip to Barton was postponed.