MAGIC MOMENT
Yeovil Town loanee Shayon Harrison reflects on his first senior goal
SHELL-SHOCKED Yeovil fans watched in horror last weekend as their team conspired to throw away a three-goal lead in the final few minutes against West Country rivals Exeter.
But there were two men with a vested interest in the Glovers that would have still left St James Park with smiles on their faces – and that was all down to Shayon Harrison netting his first League goal.
Tottenham striker Harrison scored against Italian giants Inter Milan in preseason and made his senior Spurs bow as a sub in a 2-1 defeat by Liverpool at Anfield in the EFL Cup in October.
But the 19-year-old joined Yeovil in January and, in just his second League Two start (pre-weekend he’d also made eight substitute appearances), he scored his first-ever senior goal to put the Glovers two goals to the good.
Beaming
Harrison was substituted in the 77th minute and then saw his side add a third seconds later, before somehow throwing the three points away as Exeter staged their remarkable recovery.
While that did dampen the mood somewhat, Harrison was still beaming, especially since his father, Ayo, and Tottenham Under-23 coach Matt Wells were there to share the moment with him,
“First and foremost, it would have been nice to get the three points, too,” said Harrison. “We did everything spot-on for 85 minutes.
“It’s always disappointing when you’re 3-0 up and don’t get the three points. But it was just one of those games and we will do our best to finish the season as strongly as possible.
“I was really, really pleased to score my first goal. It was really important to get it as early as possible and I am really hoping to kick on now and score more.
“The fact that my dad was there, too, made it even better. It was a really special moment. He only told me the day before that he was coming. He had a feeling I would score so he made the late decision to be there.
“I was happy to have him there to celebrate my first goal with me as he has given me a lot of support over the years.
“It was also nice to have my coach from Spurs there, too. I speak to him quite a lot during the week and I was glad that he saw me score. I am really appreciative of the effort everyone has put in to get me where I am.”
In joining Yeovil on loan, Harrison continued a tradition of players who have swapped Spurs for the Glovers, with Ryan Mason, Andros Townsend, Steven Caulker and Jonathan Obika all having made the trip west.
And Harrison is glad he is getting a taste of the lower leagues.
“I spoke to a few of the lads who had come to Yeovil before me and they all had nothing but good things to say,” added Harrison.
“There was Mase, Andros, as well as Jonathan Obika and Steven Caulker and they all told me what a good experience it was.
“And I am really enjoying being here. The lads are great and everyone has been really helpful.”