Oxford United’s under 18s travel to Bournemouth tomorrow in the EFL Youth Alliance.
For central defender James Golding it’s a chance to end a week he will never forget on a high. James, 17, made his senior debut on Tuesday night, coming on a a sub to help the U’s to a 3-2 win over Spurs Under 21s in the Papa John’s Trophy.
“It was a very proud moment for me“ he said. “I knew I was in the squad on Monday and that is obviously great experience. There were a few nerves the night before but then Craig Short told me to get warm because I was going on.
"Originally I was going on for Jamie Hanson at left back because he was playing his first game back and needed to come off, but then Luke McNally got sent off and there wasn’t much time to think about it, I was on at centre-half.
“John Mousinho was alongside me and that helped but my first touch was under pressure from a forward and I just cleared my lines! Not the most cultured first touch on my debut but I am a defender and the priority was to get the ball away from danger!
“I enjoyed it and was still buzzing after the game. I got so many messages and and a lot of people were really pleased to see me get my chance. I want to thank everyone for those messages.
“But it’s just one game and I want to learn from it and try and be involved as many times as possible. All I can do is keep learning, keep working hard and do my best in the youth team, starting at Bournemouth on Saturday.”