Teenage defender Logan Dobbs described the last few days as “unreal” after scoring his first professional goal for Gillingham on Tuesday night.
His opener against Fulham under-21s in the Vertu Trophy – in a 4-1 win for the Gills – came just days after a netting dramatic FA Cup equaliser for Welling United.
It’s been a whirlwind few days for the 18-year-old central defender.
Last Saturday, he bagged an 87th-minute leveller for loan side Welling to keep their FA Cup hopes alive, before former Gills player Greg Cundle completed a 2-1 comeback win over Uxbridge in their first qualifying round tie.
Three days later, he was celebrating his first senior appearance for the Gills – and first goal – at Priestfield.
“It’s been really good,” Dobbs said. “To get that equaliser for Welling in the FA Cup, and then my first professional start and a goal for Gillingham – I’m buzzing, to be honest.
“I didn’t even think I was starting (on Tuesday for the Gills). I found out about an hour and a half before kick-off and it helped with all the shock.
“I thought I’d just be in and around it, but when I saw my name, I was buzzing.”
Dobbs started alongside newcomer Travis Akomeah in the centre of defence, but his early impact came at the other end of the pitch, scoring just three minutes into the group-stage match after smashing home a pass from Aaron Rowe.
“The ball came to me and I thought, ‘I’m just going to swing a leg at it’ and it came off perfect!
“I thought (Rowe) was going to shoot, to be honest. That’s why I was a bit surprised it came to me. I just thought ‘I’ve got to get a shot off’.
“I didn’t see the goal because I was being blocked, but I’m happy it went in.
“It was unreal. I was so surprised I even scored. That feeling just set me for the game. My confidence was up.”
A loan spell at Welling United is helping Dobbs adjust to the men’s game, playing six full games so far this season for Lee Martin’s Isthmian Premier Division side.
That experience is proving invaluable as he looks to tread the path of the likes of Sam Gale.
He said: “I’ve been out on loan, trying to show what I can do, playing men’s football.
“We’ve got a lot of good defenders (at Gillingham). It’s very hard to break through but just to get experience, with all different styles of football. I’m trying to get used to them all.”
Dobbs played for his local team Ipswich Town up until the age of 16 but moved to the Gills after not getting a scholarship. He’s been living away from home since then.
Getting a taste of first-team football is making those sacrifices worthwhile.
“I’m very happy the Gaffer gave me a chance,” he said.
“I don’t usually get nervous before games, but I was nervous.
“Hopefully, I showed what I could do, but it’s only the start. It’s my first goal, first start, but I’m hoping to do more.
“Sam Gale is one I look up to. Obviously, he broke through. He’s doing well. I’m just trying to be the same as him. Go out on loan, get what I need to learn, and then hopefully come back here and prove myself. “
Dobbs is expected to be back at Welling this Saturday for their game away to Isthmian Premier Division’s second-placed side Dulwich Hamlet.
He said: “Lee Martin (the Welling manager) has put his trust in me. He said, ‘You’re going to play’. I just have to show him what I can do.
“It’s very good. Good for my fitness as well. Hopefully we can get the win this weekend.”
