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Cheltenham Town prospect Tom King "buzzing" to net first senior goal in EFL Trophy win over West Ham United Under-21s
Forward Tom King said he was “buzzing” to score his first senior goal for Cheltenham Town.
The 18-year-old went on from the bench and netted the Robins’ final goal in their 3-1 home win over West Ham United Under-21s in the EFL Trophy group stage on Tuesday night.
“Hopefully it’s the first of many this season and for years to come,” King said.
“It’s a really big thing for me to score after working hard in training and waiting for my opportunity to play. I took my chance and got a goal so I am buzzing.”
King has been in fine form for the Under-18s team in recent weeks, building his match sharpness and confidence after a proposed loan move to Gloucester City fell through due to a temporary transfer embargo for the Southern League club.
He was due to be involved in the EFL Trophy match against Reading, which was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch on October 8.
But his first senior appearance of the season finally came on Tuesday, when he replaced Nottingham Forest loanee Manni Norkett in the 64th minute.
“Hopefully I have shown the gaffer what I can do a bit and I want to play in the league now,” King said.
“He gave me a big hug after the goal, so it was good to get some recognition.
“My aim is to get some minutes in League Two before the end of the season.”
Competition is fierce at the front end of boss Michael Flynn’s team, with George Miller currently the first choice centre forward, with Ethon Archer and Jordan Thomas on the wings.
Ryan Bowman and Matty Taylor are two of the most experienced players in the squad, with the likes of Norkett and Dulson also pushing for starting places.
“We have a lot of strikers here, so I have to keep working hard, show what I can do and hopefully the gaffer gives me that chance in the league," King said.
The former Marling School pupil enjoyed a memorable 2023/24 campaign, making his League One debut as a substitute in the opening day defeat at Shrewsbury Town to become the club’s youngest EFL player.
He was then called up for the England Under-18s squad, winning his first cap in 1-0 win over Morocco and then signing his first professional contract in January.
“The England call-up is my biggest achievement so far,” he said. “Hopefully there will be another one of them, but you never know.”
For now, King knows where he needs to improve if he is to add to his senior appearances this term.
“My main attribute is one v ones and I have shown I can do it against 18-year-olds, so now I need to show I can do it against men,” he said.
“I need to work on the physical side of my game because obviously I am smaller than a lot of the players I am up against, so that’s the biggest thing I need to work on.”
* Cheltenham play Rotherham United away in the FA Cup first round on Saturday afternoon (3pm).
READ MORE: Cheltenham Town v West Ham United Under-21s RECAP: Tom King nets first senior goal in EFL Trophy win
