Eighteen-year-old Zach Robinson won't be forgetting his experiences of the EFL Trophy in a hurry.
The competition that gave him a first-team debut against Southend United in 2019/20 also brought his first senior goal in this season's Group Stage, as he helped his side beat Brighton & Hove Albion U21s earlier this month.
A prolific goalscorer for Lambeth Tigers as a teenager, the youngster was afforded an opportunity with Sheffield United, one which was unfortunately cut short by injury. Following his recovery, he was spotted by AFC Wimbledon, and hasn't looked back since, going on to sign a first professional deal just this summer.
"I played with Lambeth Tigers against Sheffield United and they asked me back, so I played for them on the Saturday at Liverpool, at Melwood, but got concussion in the first five minutes of the game," he recalled, speaking to the club.
"I was out for a while, but fortunately I was doing my Year 11 work experience with the Wimbledon academy, so I got to know the staff and they got to know me as a person. It just clicked on from there."
Recently praised by manager Glyn Hodges as being a striker who scores "all sorts of goals", Robinson is hoping his strike in the EFL Trophy will be the first of many.
"It was a proud moment," he added. "As a striker, it's all about goals and I managed to get one. It was excellent play by Paul [Osew], who has beaten his man and picked me out brilliantly. I actually saw the eye contact there and he found me; so I did the easy part, really.
"I just want to play, do my best, and see how far I can get. Whether I have to go out on loan or not, I'm not sure at this moment, but I will do what I can. The first-team management are helping me when I may not understand something and they are helping me to improve upon things. There's still a long way to go for me."
Photo credit: AFC Wimbledon