Goalscorer describes dream Doncaster debut.
Alfie Beestin hailed his debut goal against Mansfield Town in the Checkatrade Trophy as the best moment of his life.
The teenager struck a long range effort midway through the second half to break the deadlock against the League Two counterparts.
“It was my first start and my first goal, I couldn’t have asked for anything more,” he said.
“I was a bit nervous but to get the goal was an unbelievable experience, to start was unbelievable but to score it was a dream come true.
“It was the best experience of my life, to make my professional debut and score it was the best feeling of my life.
“From being told, it didn’t leave my mind, I was just thinking about the game. Yes there was a bit of nerves but once I got on to the pitch I tried my hardest and did my best for the gaffer.”
Beestin’s rise has been nothing short of meteoric, having previously played a handful of games for non-league Tadcaster Albion and working with the i2i Academy prior to joining Rovers on a two year deal.
Of the goal, he said: “I saw H (Harry Middleton) take a shot and be closed down so I thought I’d stick on the edge of the box just in case anything dropped and it came out to me, I chested it down and just smashed it!
“There was a bit of luck because it went through a player's legs but I’ll take it anyway – there was nothing else in my mind, just hit it and fortunately it went in.
“I did alright, I think I could have done a bit more but nerves played a part a bit. Sometimes I did a bit on the ball but didn’t get on the ball as much as I would have liked. It was my first game, there were nerves but I think I’ll get used to it.”
Beestin was one of four Rovers debutants at a potentially watershed match for the Rovers academy and any nerves the youngster did show were quickly banished by his teammates, some of whom he has eyes on displacing in the first team.
“It’s my job to make it hard for the gaffer and work my way in to the team,” he said.
“The players praised me and it gave me a confidence boost, they did it all through the game and talked me through it and made it a lot easier for me.
“I’ve shown that I’ve got confidence on the ball and he believes that I’ve got the ability. I’ve just got to work on my strength because it’s a really physical league.”
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