The Youth Team’s Matthew Gillam admits that he’s pleased to be back in action after missing much of the season with an eye injury.
The first year scholar, who had been sidelined since pre-season, returned to face Burnley in the Lancashire Youth Cup 11 days ago and netted once in the 2-0 win. Days later he grabbed a brace in the FA Youth Cup first round victory over Altrincham FC, earning Dale a trip to Notts County’s Meadow Lane.
“I’m really happy with my personal achievements to get the two goals but I think the most important thing is that we’re through to the next round and we’ll go to Notts County looking to put in a good performance and hopefully get the win," said Gillam after the Altrincham win.
“I’m buzzing [to be back]. It was a long, hard time when I was out injured because I couldn’t do anything at all. All I wanted to do was kick the ball about but I was told by the doctors to stay at home, not to do anything and just wait to recover.
“Now I’m back, I’m feeling myself again and hopefully there are many more goals to come. I’d love to keep scoring but the main thing is to keep working hard for the team.”
And as Gillam explains, it was a freak eye injury which kept him out of action.
“I’ve basically gone in for a challenge and the ball has rebounded off the player’s knee and hit me straight in the eye. I couldn’t see for around an hour and half afterwards so I went to the hospital, but thankfully everything is sorted now.
"I love being in training everyday. It’s my dream to play football so to do it everyday makes me happy.”