Zach Robinson spoke with great pride about getting off the mark at first-team level at Wimbledon - and about the unique circumstances that led to him joining the Dons.
After banging in the goals for Lambeth Tigers as a teenager, Zach had an opportunity with Sheffield United, but it was cut short by a nasty incident at Liverpool's Melwood training ground.
"I came to Wimbledon for an ID trial where a lot of trialists play in a game," recalled Zach. "I scored twice in that game and they invited me to train with the Under-16s squad the next day. I managed to score a few goals, but I played with Lambeth Tigers against Sheffield United the week before and they asked me back, so I played for them on the Saturday at Liverpool, at Melwood, but I got concussion in the first five minutes of the game. I was out for a while, but fortunately I was doing my year 11 work experience with the Wimbledon academy, so I got to know the staff and they got to know me as a person. It just clicked on from there.
"I just want to play, do my best, and see how far I can get. Whether I have to go out on loan or not, I'm not sure at this moment, but I will do what I can. The first-team management are helping me when I may not understand something and they are helping me to improve upon things."
Speaking to Rob Cornell about his goal in the EFL Trophy last night and his path towards the first-team - Zach had loan spells at Basingstoke Town and Leatherhead - he added: "It was a proud moment. As a striker, it's all about goals and I managed to get one. It was excellent play by Paul (Osew), who has beaten his man and picked me out brilliantly. I actually saw the eye contact there and he found me, so I did the easy part really.
"When I was playing at Basingstoke it was kind of an eye opener for me. I had been playing Under-18s football and it was less challenging. Then I had to take a step-up by playing men's football and I went up to a higher level again when I played at Leatherhead. It taught me to handle myself better against stronger opposition. It developed me a lot, so it definitely helped. There is still a long way to go for me."