Cheltenham Town goal hero Ashley Hay admits ‘It’ll help with my confidence’ after completing a fine comeback by scoring the winner to defeat Barrow AFC 3-2 at the EV Charger Points Stadium.
After the Robins fell behind to a Sam Foley header and a Ben Whitfield strike right after the second half interval, the hosts scored three in 16 minutes to turn the game and on it’s head to send Town eight points off the League Two play-off places.
Experienced striker Matty Taylor scored a double to draw the scores level, before Hay with just under 15 minutes remaining scored the winner to send Town fans into pandemonium.
Hay, on loan from Premier League side Brentford FC scored his first goal in the EFL and the 21-year-old could not hide his excitement.
Very proud, very exciting when I think back now, I can barely remember the goal if I’m being honest!
But I’m very happy, three points, from 2-0 down it is absolutely massive and the crowd were behind us the whole way.”
It was a top flight connection with on loan Manchester United winger supplying the cross for the winner and it was something that had been planned in advance by the duo who joined mid-table Town in the January window
“I do remember, Ethan Williams and I were saying as soon as we get that chance, he’s going to put the ball in for me and I’m going to score and today we did it. I do remember getting on the half-turn and shooting and then going over to the fans celebrating.”
For a first six games in League Two it has been a period of adjustment who has been making his first mark in the professional game.
“I feel like I am getting used to it, no two games are the same but every game you go out there you are going to expect a physical match, it’s not always going to be pretty but you’ve got to deal with it.”
“It’s something you have to deal with and you learn from it, you learn from going away on Friday night (Harrogate) in quite a scrappy game and it will definitely help me in my career.”
The prospect is one of two players who arrived from the Bees in the transfer window in January alongside Valentino Adedokun and the forward admits that the help of someone close to him has been a boost for his adjustment to the professional level.
“Val was one of my closest friends at Brentford, so when he gave me text that he was going to be coming down I was very excited, he’s been our skipper since I’ve been at the club as well so it’s good to have him here.”
Cheltenham travel to south east Wales on Saturday as they take on Newport County to address their poor away form.
They have won just twice on their travels as well as failing to score in their last four away matches knowing that if they harbour any hopes of gatecrashing the play-off party they must pick up three points.
