Ashikodi Back To His Best

MOSES Ashikodi wasn't even sure he was going to figure for the England Under-19s against Switzerland on Wednesday night.

But the Hammers striker, who has just returned from a loan spell at Gillingham, ended up firing the two goals that secured a resounding 2-0 victory for Martin Hunter's side.

He said: "I was only told that I was going to get on at half-time. I came on with about an hour gone, so I only really had 15 minutes to prepare myself.

"I knew when I started warming up at the start of the second-half that I was going to get on and my aim was just to get on and try and make a difference to the game.

"I wasn't at all worried going out onto the pitch, I had belief in myself that I could go on and score goals because of the quality of the players around me in the team.

"I was really pleased with the way the night went and I was glad that I could help the team get what was a very good victory."

It was something of an eventful night for the 18-year-old, who was booked for over-celebraing his first goal and then was injured celebrating his second! For Mo, after a frustrating time on loan with Gillingham, the emotion of the night ran away with him.

"All I wanted to do was show people that I could still do the job," he confessed. "With the booking I just didn't know what I was doing. I think the yellow card was a little unfair. The passion and emotion of the night just took over. I was so excited.

"After the second goal I just turned away awkwardly. Again I was really excited and as I celebrated I ended up doing a sort of sliding tackle on myself and catching my knee. I did get a bit carried away, but it's fine now."

Mo had one final hurdle to overcome after his goalscoring heroics, as the Academy graduate faced the TV cameras for the first time.

He admitted: "I was absolutely petrified. I've never been so nervous in my life.

"It was a great night though and I'm delighted with the outcome."