Jeremiah Kamanzi said he only found out minutes before the kick-off he would be playing for Brentford’s Youth Team against Charlton Athletic on Saturday, and then scored within 20 seconds.
The winger was called in to the team for the Under-18 Professional Development League Two South match when Kyjuon Marsh-Brown fell ill.
He stepped in to play on the left of Brentford’s attacking trio and put The Bees 1-0 up after 18 seconds.
Charlton levelled immediately but Brentford eventually won the game 3-2 as Marsh-Brown came off the bench to score in the last 15 minutes and top scorer Bradley Clayton won it for The Bees in the last minute.
Jeremiah, speaking to Bees Player after the game, said the goal came from a move he and Clayton had been working on in training and it was great to score, albeit at a time he wasn’t expecting to be on the pitch.
“It was all a bit surprising,” said the teenager.
“I was called up late because Kyjuon was ill and started the game.
“It was great to come in and be in the right position to score.
“We have been working on forward runs in training; it was good the move worked.
“It was great getting on the score sheet.
“It is always a buzz to play.
“I found out minutes before the game I would play, Kyjuon said he had a stomach problem.
“I have been working in training about getting one-on-one against a player.
“It showed today that they trust me to do what it takes to win the team the game.”
Charlton levelled within minutes of Jeremiah’s goal and Clayton had one ruled out in a frantic opening.
The last three goals came inside the closing 15 minutes and Jeremiah said The Bees were worth the win.
“We did deserve the three points,” he said.
“We battled through to get them.
“We know Charlton, they love to press high.
“It was an intense game.
“It was a shock at the start.
“We started quick but Charlton are a good side and got back in to it quickly with a good goal.
“They are a good side but we played through them well and had good spells of posession.
Jeremiah said Brentford never stopped striving for the win, even when Charlton equalised for a second time late on.
“It was always about getting three points,” he said.
“With the players we have and the character we have we know we can get the points.
“That is exactly what we did.
“As a team we know if we perform, be the team we know we are and play the football we can, we can do bigger and better things.
“Confidence is high right now.
“The team morale is getting better and hopefully we can go on.”
It was Jeremiah’s tenth league start of the season in the first of his two years as a scholar.
He said he had improved a lot since going full-time and hopes it would be enough to ensure a regular place in the team.
“I think I staked my claim but it is up to the manager,” said Jeremiah.
“I am glad to score today and be part of a team that got a win.
“Physically, mentally and psychologically I have developed massively, tactically as well.
“There is a lot of learning, I am getting better.”
Bees Player subscribers can see a full video interview with Jeremiah Kamanzi here.