It’s been a great start to the season for me personally and to make my first-team debut in the Capital One Cup win against Oxford United was a dream come true.

I’ve played at The Valley before in the FA Youth Cup but this was totally different.

We were three goals up when I got the call from the gaffer to get ready to come on and straight away the nerves kicked in. But once I got out there I tried to play my normal game and the seven or so minutes I was on for flew by.

Of course, when you come on for your first appearance you want to make an impression and it was good to play a part in the final goal for a player I know well – Joe Pigott.

Me and ‘Pig’ came up through the ranks and it was great to see him get his chance up front. When I drove forward from midfield and was tripped in the box in injury time, there was little doubt in my mind that he would go in search of the ball.

He’s a good penalty-taker and it was great to see the ball end up in the back of the net. I’ve played a few positions for the club since coming through the youth ranks but at the moment I’m in a holding midfield role and enjoying it.

It was a massive learning curve to play alongside some of the senior boys during pre-season and to see my name on the list for the tour of Spain was a real boost.

They have been great with me during games, talking to me, giving me information and encouraging me. That allowed me to express myself and helped my confidence.

Full column in the Dartford Messenger