Ollie Dewsbury was proud after making his league debut for Bristol Rovers in their 1-0 victory over Huddersfield Town at The Memorial Stadium.
The Gas had the lead from the tenth minute after Ruel Sotiriou looped a volley over Lee Nicholls and into the back of the net, with Dewsbury coming on with a matter of minutes left to play to help the Pirates over the line.
It was a crucial victory for Rovers, who ended their four games winless run to extend the gap between themselves and the relegation to six points, having played one fewer match than Burton Albion in the position below.
Dewsbury was not afraid to get straight into the heart of the action and flashed a shot wide moments after entering the pitch. He was pleased to appear off the bench to help his side complete an impressive victory against the promotion-pushing Terriers.
“It’s amazing,” he said. “Especially to be at The Mem in front of the fans, it was really good. It was rocking today, so it definitely helped.
“Three points and a clean sheet against a top side is brilliant. I thought it was a really good team performance from all the boys today. It just shows what we can do if we stick together and fight.”
It has been an eventful season for Dewsbury, who made his debut for the Gas in a 3-3 draw with Tottenham Hotspur U21s in the Vertu Trophy before getting his first real taste of senior football out on loan at Yate Town and Taunton Town.
Training with Rovers' first team as well, Dewsbury admitted he has learned a lot during the current campaign, with the senior professionals at the Gas giving him advice.
“This season has been amazing,” said Dewsbury. “My time at Yate and Taunton, I’ve enjoyed them both so much. Especially Yate at the start of the season, my first men's team, I really enjoyed it. I thrive playing under circumstances where you need to win, and it’s a lot different to youth football, but I’m learning it slowly and enjoying it.
“I’ve learnt loads. It's a completely different game to youth football. Even training with the first team with the likes of Chris Martin. All of those little tricks that he does, he passes down knowledge, and it’s really helpful.
“Especially under Iñigo Calderón, he’s really tactical. That’s helping me develop even more, being under such a good manager. There are so many senior professionals. You’ve got James Wilson, Scott Sinclair, Jack Hunt, and Chris. They have all had amazing careers, and they are so easy to pick up information from."
It was a special afternoon for Rovers, who had four academy graduates on the pitch in the latter stages of the contest. Jed Ward, Kofi Shaw and Scott Sinclair were all on the field alongside Dewsbury, with the forward full of pride to be representing his boyhood club.
“I’m so proud,” he emphasised. “I’ve been coming to the games. I’ve been here since I was six. I love the club, and it’s amazing to feel what it’s like on the pitch instead of in the stands. It was emotional for me, but I really enjoyed it.
“I’ve got to get my head back down now and focus on training next week and see if I can start doing this more regularly.”
