Fresh from netting his first professional goal, striker Kyle Wootton said it was “an incredible moment” which “words could not describe”.
Wootton, who signed an 18-month professional contract with the Iron on January 6, 2015, is no stranger to finding the back of the net, having notched 23 goals in all competitions since the start of pre-season for both the youth team and the reserves.This strike meant a whole lot more though. Not only was it his first senior goal, it came in the fifth minute of stoppage time to rescue a point and take the Iron one point closer to safety, which could all but be secured at Colchester United on Saturday.
“It was something else,” smiled Wootton, following the game.
“It was an incredible feeling and as you can tell with the celebration, I just lost it. It’s a massive moment for me and I’ve been at the club for ten years. It meant a lot and it’s a massive point which could be crucial in the survival race.
“We deserved it. We were the better team, but not clinical enough. I was happy to grab a point for the club and hopefully we can now take that momentum into the game on Saturday.”
Wootton peeled away from his marker at the back post to get down low and head fellow former youth team player Hakeeb Adelakun’s deep cross past Chris Neal in the fifth minute of four added – although after a succession of Vale players going down injured, the striker was well in time when the ball hit the net.
“The manager told me to do what I do best,” he continued.
“I just kept moving and stayed on my toes as the Vale players were tired. I just kept moving in the box and timed it right and it dropped right for me. Hakeeb was absolutely buzzing to be able to set it up and the gaffer said about us two young lads linking up.
“It was great for him to set it up. Words cannot describe it to be honest. At first I didn’t know whether I’d put it in, but I heard the roar and then I got lost in the moment.
“I kept thinking that I needed to get a goal when I got given an opportunity to keep the manager thinking. I got a chance just before it, but I was thankful to get another chance.”
Looking ahead to Saturday, Wootton believes that a result at the Weston Homes Community Stadium would be enough to secure League One survival next season.
“It’s a massive game on Saturday,” he declared.
“That could be the one that keeps us up if we can get a win. We need to go there and take something out of the game. Hopefully the late goal can give the team momentum to take there and get the win.
“On a personal note, it’s great for me and hopefully it’ll lead to me getting more appearances, more starts and more goals.”
See much more from Kyle Wootton and Mark Robins on The Iron Player.