Hours of practising in the school yard played a part in new signing Sam Pearson‘s opening goal on his return to Yeovil Town.
The former Bristol City youngster, who had a spell on loan at Huish Park at the start of last season, got airborne to turn home Charlie Cooper’s ball in to the box after 28 minutes gone in the 2-0 home win over Hemel Hempstead Town.
He told BBC Somerset’s Josh Perkins that the goal was his trademark, he said: “The first one was probably my trademark goal, in primary school I used to practice bicycle kicks and that side of my game and I have scored a few in my time, so it has obviously paid off. I had a feeling something like that was going to happen and I would back myself in any situation like that to score.”
Picture courtesy of Gary Brown
Having put his new side ahead, the 22-year-old played a major part in the Glovers’ second when his shot deflected off a Hemel defender Kyle Ajayi on its way in to the net. Pearson insists he is claiming it as his own, and we’ll wait to see how the record books show it.
He added: “It was on target and I don’t think the keeper would have saved it. Thanks to (the Hemel defender) I have got another goal, so thanks to him!
“It couldn’t have gone much better – maybe if I had got a hat-trick! We executed the game plan well and we won, that is the main thing. The Gaffer told us how they were going to be and we had to break them down because we knew they were going to come here and sit in a block. We did that and obviously we got the three points.”
Having played 11 times, scoring twice, during his first spell under the ill-fated reign of Chris Hargreaves last season, Pearson spent the end of last season on loan at League Two side AFC Wimbledon. But, having played all of the season so far in youth football at Bristol City, he is delighted to be back playing first-team football.
He said: “I did what is best for me over the past two weeks and I am back playing first team football. I just want to enjoy it and be happy and perform out on the pitch.
“It is a fun group. I know Josh (Owers) from Bristol and he loves the banter, so he can be a bit annoying at times. I know most of the boys, there’s a few new faces, but we all get along well. Everyone is buzzing, it is a good moment to be in because we are winning and nothing can put us down now. It is down to us to keep winning and keep that atmosphere in the dressing room.
“I feel like no-one can beat us in this league right now. That is the best feeling, your confidence is high and you just know you are going to go there and get the win, no matter what. That is all we want to do in that changing room – just win, win, win and win the league.”
The contrasting atmosphere around Huish Park and the improved surroundings inside the stadium from his first spell in Somerset played a major part in his decision to sign a permanent deal
He said: “It is a massive difference, I came here two or three days ago and had a tour around the place and everything has changed. The atmosphere, the coaching staff, even the stadium has changed in places with the new dug-outs and it goes a long way. I think you can tell it does because of the way we are performing.
“I needed to score today to apologise to the fans for what happened back then. I think I have redeemed myself now.
“Fans are everything in the game and that is what helped make my decision, the amount of fans we get now made the decision a lot easier. Fans are the whole point of football and when there are so many getting behind us, you just want to do well to make their day better. They have gone home with a smile on their faces and we all will – apart from Hemel.“