Exeter City’s teenage starlet Jake Richards just continues to get better. The 17-year-old scored his first league goal for the Grecians on Boxing Day as he capped a dream-come-true for the boyhood fan in front of the Big Bank.

City had fallen behind against Bristol Rovers when Promise Omochere scored a tap-in on the hour for the Gas. But City rallied and Jack Fitzwater powered home a header from a corner to make it 1-1.

Enter Richards who made Millenic Alli’s goal to put Exeter ahead with a mazy run and cross to the striker who fired home. And then deep in stoppage-time, he got on the scoresheet himself, drilling the finish past the despairing defenders after Kamari Doyle’s effort was saved.

READ MORE: Exeter City's character hailed after thrilling Boxing Day win

READ MORE: 'I'm autistic and my kids are too - I wish people understood why Christmas is so hard'

Having not featured much in the early stages of the season due to the injury and then non-selection, Richards is quickly becoming a regular in Gary Caldwell’s matchday squad and if he keeps these performances up, it can’t be long before he becomes a starter. He is learning from the experienced heads of Ryan Woods and Kevin McDonald, and has shown the manager the perfect response after criticism of his training levels earlier in the campaign.

“It was a great feeling, something that you dream of as a kid, to happen in that game,” Richards said of his goal. “Kammy drove forwards, it comes back to me, and I tried to put it in the corner and did.

“To celebrate in front of the Big Bank, that’s something I’ve always wanted to do in front of a packed out stadium. It is certainly a dream, I am really excited.”

Richards came on to replace McDonald, who has played in the Premier League, and the alongside Woods, who spent most of his career in the top half of the Championship, and the teenager praised the impact that learning the experienced heads has provided him.

“The experience is second to none to learn from them,” he said. They are two steps ahead, and helping through the game and little things I can do. I can learn off them so much, Woodsy talking to me, Kev in training, they are really good people to have around to learn from. Kev is trying to teach me to avoid mistakes and positioning and to try and see the game through his eyes.”

It wasn’t until December 3 when Richards played for City in League One this season but has become a regular member of the squad, and having taken his chance having impressed in training, he is showing why he is so highly rated, and fans are so desperate for him to put pen to paper and sign the contract which has been put in front of me.

“Gary spoke to me month or so ago and said my training need to go up,” Richards said. “I took that on board, gone in harder and aggressive, he has seen that and given me the opportunity.

“The contract I leave to agent and manager and parents. What I want to do this season is play as many games, have moments like today, goals, assists, put my name out there and see at the end of the season, but I love this club. I want to play at the highest level so I will take advice to get there, but I am in a good place, playing at a good level, and good people around me.”

Caldwell obviously would love Richards to sign the contract, but is not overly worried he hasn’t yet put pen to paper. At the moment, he is focusing on developing him as a player and hoping for more moments like the one on Boxing Day.

“He has taken a forward step,” the boss said. “He has added energy and quality. The cross for Milli for his goal and then the final attack and he is backing the game up and did well. We tried to maintain attacks and getting in the box and got his goal and delighted for him.

“He is a good character, has good parents, and knows what he needs to do. We are giving him the support, has Kev to tell him what is needed and putting everything around him so he can be the best player he can be. I’m not overly worried about the contract, I’m sure we will get something sorted as he is a bright lad and will have a great career.”