Youngster reveals delight at being handed a start
Exeter City striker Jamie Reid admitted he was both surprised and delighted to have been handed the very first Football League start of his fledgling career against AFC Wimbledon – and that as soon as he found out he was starting, he couldn’t wait for the game to kick off.
Having only featured once before in the senior side – coming off the bench against Oxford on Boxing Day – Jamie confessed that he wasn’t sure whether he would even be in the matchday squad, let alone in the starting XI. But he justified the faith of the management in starting him by turning in a fearless, all-action display and grabbing two goals to boot. He stuck the ball in the net a third time too – only to see the assistant referee flagging strike-partner Jamie Cureton offside, to deny a hat-trick on his full debut.
“I found out literally at about half past one!” said Jamie. “I had no idea; even the night before I thought I was probably going to be spare man. When I heard I was starting I was happy and buzzing and couldn’t wait to get out on the pitch.
“If I’d got told the night before, I probably would have had loads of time to think – I would probably end up over-thinking things.
“I didn’t hit the first goal very well, but for the second one I just watched the ball fall onto my foot and when I saw it go into the net, I was just so happy. I enjoyed the first one most because I was getting quite a lot of stick from their fans!
“It’s a shame about the third one – the lino gave offside for Curo running along the goalkeeper’s view, which was a shame because it was a big chance for us with Bradford only drawing.”
Reid was delighted with the opportunity to come into the side and make an impact, which has come as a result of putting the graft in during training and reserve fixtures. And now he’s hoping that he can prove an asset in the closing weeks of the season too.
“I’ve been on the bench quite a lot and I’ve been spare man quite a few times, but I’ve been in training, getting my head down, and trying really hard,” he continued. “Maybe I got my chance – but I’ve got to keep working hard.
“Last year I was just watching the team. I’d never have thought in my first year as a pro I’d be scoring a goal.
“This is where the hard works starts – even though it’s the end of the season, I’ve got to kick on and keep trying hard and try to establish myself in the first team.”
Cheltenham Town are the final scheduled visitors at St James Park when they come to town on Saturday for the 3pm kick-off. And Reidy is confident that City can aim to pick up maximum points in the final two matches to secure the crucial play-off berth.
“It’s definitely not over – it’ll go down to the last game. We’ve just go to kick on now and try to pick up three points from the next two games.”
Come and pack the Park on Saturday for this absolutely crucial encounter against Cheltenham. With both teams in the running for promotion, City need as much colour and noise to support the team as possible to give one last boost to the promotion-push.
Normal ticketing applies for the final home fixture of 2012/13 – buy in advance online by clicking here, or buy in advance from Reception. Alternatively you can pay on the day from the ticket booths around the ground.