On-loan West Ham United Under-18 captain Josh Payne enjoyed a day to remember on Saturday with a goal on his league debut for Cheltenham Town
The 17-year-old midfielder was recruited by the League One club's new manager Martin Allen after he impressed in the reserves opening match of the season away to Chelsea earlier this month. Payne got the full 90 minutes in a 2-2 home draw against mid-table Stockport County and put his side 2-1 up when he converted from close range after team-mate Scott Murray had missed a penalty.
Allen, a man who knows a thing or two about making his name as a West Ham United midfielder after 190 league appearances in claret and blue between 1989 and 1995, was delighted with Payne's contribution, despite the heartbreak of his side conceding a last-minute equaliser. He said: "For Josh Payne to score on his debut, following up the penalty, was terrific. He's a lovely lad but more importantly, I know he's a good player."