Josh Clarke said he went in to Brentford’s Development Squad match against Colchester United looking to get a goal or an assist and was pleased with his performance.
Josh scored Brentford’s second in a 2-2 draw on Monday.
The winger raced clear to slot home and put The Bees 2-1 up after Montell Moore had equalised Colchester’s opener.
The Essex side took a share of the spoils in the Under-21 Professional Development League Two match with a late equaliser.
Josh, speaking to Bees Player after the game, said he had not played 90 minutes for a while and was pleased to get through it.
“I am a bit tired and not fully match fit but I got through the game and that is the main thing,” said the winger.
“It’s been a few weeks since I played a full game.
“I wasn’t sure I was going to get through but I proved I did.
“I wanted to get through the game and get a goal or an assist.
“I am pleased with my performance and I felt I worked hard.”
Josh felt Brentford played well but couldn’t get the breakthrough in the first half.
They were given a boost when they went ahead but Colchester hit back.
He said he felt it was an even game overall.
“I think we played well but were struggling to get that goal,” said Josh.
“When we got 2-1 up we got a boost but they got a goal back and our heads went down.
“It felt an even game overall.”
Josh said he just wanted to be safe when he went through one-on-one.
He said he was working hard to ensure his pace led to goals and assists.
“I just wanted to be safe,” he explained.
“I tried to place it rather than smacking it and it bouncing off the keeper.
“I side footed it in.
“I am working on my end product and my movement.
“I want to get the ball and receive it in behind so I can run on.
“That is what I am working on, adding goals and assists.
“I will keep working hard at running past players and making sure there is an end product.
“I am watching the players ahead of me and seeing what they do so I can add it to my game and get a First Team spot.”
Josh has spent the past month on loan at Stevenage.
He made one substitute appearance before returning just before Monday’s match.
Josh said it was a tough month but he learned a lot.
He said it was a big jump to Sky Bet League Two football but he could use his experiences if he went out on loan again.
“It was a good month but tough,” said Josh.
“I learned a lot.
“I will take that experience and move on.
“We had discussions about why I wasn’t playing.
“I will take it on board and learn from it.
“Hopefully I can do well in my next loan move.
“The step from Under-21s is a massive step; I didn’t think it was going to be.
“It is all about winning.
“These development games are about developing your game, League Two is massively different.
“I will take the experience from Stevenage, work hard and use it next time.”
Josh added: “Every game I play I want to make an impact, either a goal or an assist.
“Hopefully the gaffer will see that and I can either go out on loan or work my way in to the First Team if that is possible.”
Bees Player subscribers can see a full interview with Josh Clarke here.