JAMIE PHILPOT didn’t have much time to reflect on his first senior appearance at The Den last Saturday – he was back in action in the wind and rain at Jersey Road training ground on Monday afternoon.
His senior manager Neil Harris was also there to see Philpot score twice to fire Justin Skinner’s U21s to a 3-0 win over Brentford.
Midfielder Kris Twardek scored a third to seal the win.
Skinner’s Elite Development Squad are second in Professional Development League 2, eight points behind Charlton but with a game in hand.
“The most important thing was the three points to push us closer to top spot in our league,” Philpot said. “I should have got a hat-trick, but I’m happy with two goals.
“We’ve a good chance of winning it.”
Less than 48 hours earlier, Philpot was coming on for Steve Morison in front almost 10,000 people at The Den. His parents, Jeremy and Monica, were present to watch their son make his first senior competitive appearance at home, and Philpot revealed it wasn’t all pats on the back from his father.
“They were delighted that I came on,” Philpot said. “But my dad was winding me up telling me I should have scored. But they’re happy for me, happy where I am at the moment and ecstatic like I am for the opportunities that I’m getting.”
Philpot scored on his debut at Wolves last season and, though he couldn’t repeat it on his home bow, he was thrilled to be involved.
“From the time Moro scored the penalty I turned around straight away and thought, ‘Bring me on’,” he said.
“I got out of my kit really quickly and just wanted to make an impact.
“After I came on there were opportunities for me to score, I got into the right positions. There was a corner from Jed Wallace, another really good delivery, and I connected with it alright and hit it goalwards but the keeper saved it.
“It wasn’t meant to be. Not on my home debut anyway.
“But I’m looking forward to the next few games now to see if I can come on and make another impact.
“It’s completely different to the U21s. I was more excited than nervous, especially playing in front of the home fans. I wanted to show them what I can do and the next step is to score in front of them.