BUSY BEE JACK IS BUZZING NOW
Taylor’s got the taste for goals...
IF YOU’RE going to score your maiden goal at any moment, it’s best to do it in the 91st minute to secure all three points – and that’s exactly how it played out for Barnet’s Jack Taylor.
The former Chelsea midfielder replaced his injured brother Harry ten minutes before the break against Luton at The Hive a couple of weeks ago.
And he went on to notch his first professional goal in injury time, curling a 25-yard effort into the corner to give the Bees their first win of the season.
The midfielder is hoping the dramatic late winner over the Hatters will be the first of many in a Black and Amber shirt.
Celebrating
“I needed to improve my game with more goals really, so I’m thankful to get it,” the 19-year-old said.
“It was a great feeling. It just all happened so quickly.
“One moment I’d taken the touch, the next moment I was celebrating by the corner flag, so yeah it was a weird one but I enjoyed every moment of it.
“It was a bit strange coming on for Harry, but I just had to do my job and thankfully got the goal.”
Taylor made his first appearance for Barnet last October in the Checkatrade Trophy against Norwich U21s in a 5-0 home defeat.
But the midfielder was then shipped out to National League South outfit Hampton & Richmond on loan by then Barnet manager Martin Allen, a move Taylor admits was good for his career.
“I didn’t really feel like it was a step back because I was a young player,” he said. “I thought I needed to get game time. I didn’t think there was a point in playing in U23 games. You have to get full-time men’s football in the tank, just to get the experience. It was more of a confidence booster.”
Taylor is now enjoying his time with new manager Rossi Eames after the 32-year-old was given the job on a permanent basis following a caretaker spell last season.
“Me and Rossi are close,” said Taylor. “He was my coach when I was younger, from when I was U16 at Barnet. So he knows me as a player and a person, he knows what I can do, my strengths and weaknesses. I think that’s best for me.”
Flourish
Playing alongside your brother is not a common thing in football – the highlyrated Sessegnon twins Ryan and Steven at fellow London club Fulham spring to mind – but Jack is hoping he can flourish alongside older brother Harry, 20, at The Hive.
Jack added: “We’ll have to see in the future where that takes us. Harry played centre midfield last year, but he’s been moved to right-back and played there ever since.
“He’s more defensive than I am, I’m more attacking. On the pitch I see him as a teammate and off the pitch as a brother – it’s all fine.”