Adam Marriott came off the bench with ten minutes remaining of Saturday's FA Cup tie, and his home debut became even more memorable five minutes later when he scored his first senior goal to make the score 4-0.

"It's great to be through to Round Two and I'm really pleased to played my part with the goal," the delighted 18-year-old told cambridgeunited.com

"Jon Challinor did really well cutting the ball in from the right wing and I'd made some space for myself, and as soon as I hit the ball I knew it was in," he said. "I hit it with my laces after seeing the keeper move to his right and just made sure it was in the corner."

Having watched the first three goals go in from the bench, 'Maz' felt Jai Reason's 65th minute strike was the key moment: "I thought we were pretty much in control from when Chris Holroyd scored, although they had us under a bit of pressure early in the second half, but Jai's goal was the clincher.

"Once we got the second goal it settled the match and we always looked like we were going to get a few more after that."

Adam's senior debut has been eagerly anticipated by supporters who monitor the progress of the scholars in the FA Youth Cup and in the Ridgeon's League as CRC, where he scored over 20 goals last season and has already netted eleven league goals and six in the cups this season.

He feels the nature of the competition in the Ridgeon's League provides a fast learning curve for the teenagers and plays a bit part in preparing them for professional football: "The grounding myself and the other lads get in the Ridgeon's League is something we can bring to the first team," he said.

"Playing up front for CRC I know all about the physical nature of the game. The centre halves you come up against aren't always the nicest or youngest but that gives you the perfect experience for when you make the step up.

"You take the rough tackles, that's all part of the game and the perfect answer is getting a goal and winning the game.

"We are playing well as a side and winning games so there is a winning mentality amongst us should the manager want to bring us in to the first team. To see both sides at the top of their leagues is something we want to see at the end of the season," he concluded.

Interview by David Gray

Cambridge United are at home to York City in the second round of the FA Cup on Saturday 28th November. Our match at Oxford United scheduled for that day will be rearranged.

[Match report] [Fixture list]

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