JORDAN Goddard will be playing in the 'biggest game of his life' when Gloucester City finally take on Leyton Orient in the FA Cup first round tomorrow night.
Signed on loan from Bristol Rovers with forward Mitch Harding last month, Goddard has impressed with some all-action displays in the City midfield.
He is likely to form an engine-room partnership with vastly experienced pair Lewis Hogg and Tom Webb against Orient tomorrow (7.45pm) and can't wait for his chance to showcase his abilities.
And the 19-year-old will be going into the game full of hope that the Tigers can pull of a famous Cup upset against a side who have been struggling in League One.
"It's probably the biggest game of my career so far, and it's a massive game all round for everyone here," Goddard said.
"Hopefully we can pull off a result, we were massively disappointed that it was off on the Sunday, but we've got to put that to one side and be ready tomorrow.
"It's definitely a chance for me to show what I can do against a full-time pro club at the level I want to be playing at.
"But more importantly it's about doing well and doing the job for Gloucester as the boys here have been great to me since I came in.
"And we are capable of getting a result, we just have to go out and give it our best shot and see what happens."
Encouraged to take the opportunity for competitive first-team football by Rovers boss Mark McGhee, Goddard said he has relished the opportunity to get stuck into Blue Square Bet North action.
He has also welcomed the opportunity to play alongside former Rovers midfielder Hogg and City's talismanic record-breaker Webb, who he believes are the perfect role models for an aspiring pro.
"The gaffer at Rovers told me that he wanted to get some proper game time and that's what Gloucester are offering and I jumped at the chance to come here," Goddard said.
"It's been brilliant playing with Hoggy and Tom – they're both different class.
"Some of the things that Hoggy does on the ball is brilliant, and I've never known a bloke run around as much as Webby does, and I can learn a massive amount from both of them.
"I'd love to stay as long as I can as it's proper competitive football and the results count.
"Reserve team football is decent, but it's more about worrying about your own performance and the games have no meaning.
"But football is a results-based business and it's a fantastic learning experience for me and games like tomorrow's are brilliant to play in. I can't wait."
