Striker delighted with debut
Striker Jordan Hugill could not hide his delight after making his first-team debut for the Valiants in the 3-0 away win at Crawley Town last night.
Manager Micky Adams had warned of a surprise and Hugill was it. The young striker was recalled from his loan spell at Skrill Conference Premier side Gateshead and handed his first start at the Checkatrade.com Stadium.
First-half goals from Louis Dodds and captain Doug Loft gave the Valiants a comfortable lead going into half-time, with the second goal assisted by Hugill himself.
Fellow forward Ben Williamson sealed the win after his fine solo effort found the net midway through the second-half.
Hugill said: “It was just a fantastic moment, I didn’t think that I would be coming out the Reserve Squad this early and then coming straight into the first-team and starting tonight.”
“It was fantastic, I thought we pressed high and to score three goals away from home was fantastic as well,” he said.
Hugill looked remarkably calm and assured for a man making his debut in League 1 and the striker puts that down to having the rest of the players behind him throughout the game.
He explained: “It relaxed me a lot more, the lads were excellent with me tonight, they kept me going if I did something wrong and were telling me well done if I did some good.”
Hugill started with his former Glenn Hoddle Academy colleague Ben Williamson up front and Hugill explains how playing with a familiar face helped him settle into the game.
“I’ve known Ben (Williamson) for a long time, we played in the Glenn Hoddle Academy together in Spain.
“It is always nice to play with someone you know.
“I know Ben’s game from our time in Spain and I think it worked well tonight.”
Hugill was replaced with 10 minutes remaining by Tom Pope and was given a standing ovation by the 208 travelling Valiants and the Vale bench.
He added: “To get that at the end just topped the night off.”