There will not be many better endings to senior debuts than Kazim Salahi-Ali's at Bristol Rovers.
After impressing in the FA Youth Cup for the Gas against Forest Green Rovers, the youngster got a chance for the Pirates in the Jersey Mike's Trophy against Reading alongside Excel Iwhiwhu and Jack Toogood.
Salahi-Ali came off the bench with the score at 2-2 after Arvin Appiah and Philip Sanyaolu's strikes cancelled out the Royals' efforts; a goalless end to the contest meant the game would go to penalties.
With Rovers ahead at 4-3 after Charlie Binns saved Matteo Dashi's spot-kick, the Gas knew scoring next would secure a win. Salahi-Ali, who became the Pirates' second-youngest player ever, stepped up and slotted his penalty in.
Speaking to BRTV after the game, Salahi-Ali was overjoyed after making his debut and reflected on what was going through his mind before coming on and taking a penalty.
MAKING HIS DEBUT
"It was a surreal moment. From coming here when I was younger to watch the first team, when the gaffer called me over to put me on, it was just a surreal moment. Thankfully, I played well, got the penalty at the end and scored it.
"I got called on Sunday afternoon to say that I was going to train with the first team, which was already enough. For me, all I wanted to do this year was try and get in and around the first team. Then, I went to training yesterday, and they told me I was going to be in the squad today. I was just flabbergasted. It was an unreal moment for my family and me."
COMING OFF THE BENCH
"I got tingles through my hands, and I got tingles through my whole body, but as soon as I had my first touch, it just went back to normal. I thought I would just play how I play and just show what I can bring to the team."
CONFIDENCE
"I don't know where it comes from. As soon as I do my first little thing that's good, I feel like I just build from there and just try to do the most I can.
"I have got high values for myself. I think that I am a very good footballer, but I need to stay humble, keep going, keep pushing and keep working every day to get better."
SCORING THE WINNING PENALTY
"I thought I had to put my hand up. I saw four people had put their hands up, and I had to put my hand up to take the last one, and I always knew that I was going to score. I always go the same place every time."
SECOND YOUNGEST ROVERS PLAYER EVER
"It's an unreal moment for me and, of course, my family. My parents have put a lot of work into me over the years. I have been here since I was very young. They have travelled me up and across the country, so I am thankful to them as well."
JOURNEY THROUGH THE ACADEMY
"I got here during pre-academy at U7s and I signed my first contract when I was U9s and I just went through the academy. Between U12s and U14s I had injury problems. I probably wasn't in the best headspace in football; I came back, and I wanted to just push and push.
"I had my U14s season, did pretty well and then last year I just kicked through, and I got another injury at the start of this season; I fractured my hip, and ever since that, I just want to make myself the greatest player I can be."
GETTING THROUGH INJURY PROBLEMS
'I think that has helped me mentally because most little things now, if I have a bad touch on the pitch, I don't really feel it because I have had all of those problems."
PLAYING AT THE MEM
"I love playing on The Mem pitch. Every time I play, I think I do well. The confidence around the fans and the players that introduce me to it, I feel like every time I touch The Mem, I want to prove my ability."
PLAYING SENIOR FOOTBALL
"They were pretty scary, but I think I had to change my game up a little bit. Normally I would be pretty direct, but I had to find little passes to get the ball back and take shots on goal to create something."
ADVICE FROM ROVERS PLAYERS
"It's more about consistency. I can sometimes do what they can do, but they can just do it so consistently, and that's what I want to aspire to be like."
