GOAL-DEN BOY DAVIDE FEELING GR-EIGHT
Ace hits eight in one game and asks...
DAVIDE RODARI can probably be forgiven for losing count of his Hastings United goal haul – he scored EIGHT!
The Arrows striker was unstoppable on Tuesday as the Step 4 side beat East Grinstead 12-3 in the Velocity Trophy.
Italian-born Rodari hit a 15-minute hat-trick in the first half before adding a personal fourth before the break.
And he matched it in the second 45 with another four, including three in the final eight minutes on a memorable night for the talented 20-year-old.
“I don’t think I’ve ever scored that many goals even when I was a kid – it’s never happened in my life and will probably never happen again,” Rodari told
The NLP.
“I missed three sitters as well. I probably should have had more. I was pleased to have four at halftime. I was happy, don’t get me wrong, but I really wanted more. I felt really sharp and I knew something was coming.
“It was crazy. When the last one went in I’d completely forgotten how many I’d scored and then one of my team-mates asked, ‘Is that eight!?’ I was like, ‘Wow, what just happened?’
With two assists as well, Rodari unsurprisingly scooped the manChris of-the-match prize as he took his season total up to 18 in all competitions.
He hopes the eight goals will be a real platform for the rest of the season as he looks to continue getting back to the form that had him on the verge of a move to a Championship club before suffering an ACL injury in 201718.
Rodari returned to action in March and says the injury has made him stronger both physically and mentally. “Hastings really helped me,” he said. “My team-mates, manager even the chairman, text me every day. I went to Switzerland to live with my brother because we know a really, really good physio. I did rehab every day for three hours.
“It feels a lot better now – I feel a lot stronger than I was and I’ve learnt a lot of new things in a tough time being away from the pitch.”
Relationship
Rodari’s route to the BetVictor Isthmian South East began in Inter Milan’s youth set-up. From there he had spells with Novara and Pro Vercilli before a stint with pro side Team Ticino in Switzerland.
But he felt England offered more opportunities and he set about emailing League and NonLeague clubs with his CV.
Hastings’ highly-rated boss Agutter – then at Eastbourne Borough’s Academy – replied offering a trial.
It led to Rodari joining the Sports and then moving to Pilot Field with Agutter.
“Back then I didn’t know Non-League was that famous – I only knew about the Premier League!” Rodari said. “Before I came to England, Leicester City won the Premier League. All the talk was about Vardy starting in Non-League. I found that incredible. In Italy if you are in the lower leagues, you hardly get a chance to go higher. Playing men’s football at 18 is a massive thing.
“Chris is the best manager I’ve had. He took me in as a son. I used to live with him – he’s a father in England almost. I’ve got a different relationship with him probably compared to the other players.”