Carlisle United Football Club

Jack Stacey on his goal against Bristol Rovers

We spoke to Reading loanee Jack Stacey about his stunning goal in the 3-2 victory over Bristol Rovers on Easter Monday.

"To score so early on my home debut was fantastic," he said. "It was a great goal and it was something we've worked on in training; me coming inside and getting on the ball. Once the opportunity was there I just thought I'd have a go.

"There was a second where I thought it had hit the post but it seemed to just curl right at the end and go in. I can't put it into words, it's such a great feeling.

"It's definitely the most important goal I've ever scored and it's right up there technically as well. I had a good chance at Yeovil on Friday but that was on my left foot. Thankfully this one was on my right which is probably why it went in!"

"I wanted to try and impress the home fans and get them on my side," he admitted. "I could tell they were brilliant fans so I wanted to give them something back and hopefully I've done that.

"I was disappointed to come off but if the manager thinks it's the best thing for the team I can't disagree, especially because we went on to win 3-2.

"We're four points off the play-off places now with a game in hand so it was a very important victory for us. We said the point at Yeovil on Friday would be a good one if we could get the win against Bristol Rovers. They'd won six in a row before this so it was a good victory for us, and I think it was a deserved one as well."

"I thought we played well enough on Friday to win the game, so to play well and get the three points today was a massive bonus," he told us. "I knew I had to prove myself to the fans because none of them have seen me play before. I wanted to play for them and I got a great reception from them when I came off.

"I think this game showed that you can play good football in League Two. Some of our passages of play would have been great football at any level. It isn't all long ball, which might be the perception of League Two, because you can play football as well.

"Although there was some great football played today it was also a battle. You have to win the battle first so you can then play football, and I think we had the right mixture of both which is why we've come away with the three points." 

"To score so early helped my confidence in the game and I'm already looking forward to Portsmouth away," he told us. "It took about seven hours to get back from Yeovil and I think it's about the same to Portsmouth, but this is a great club and I think it's worth the travelling.

"Confidence and morale is high within the team now and everyone is just looking forward to the next game. We deserved the win, we outplayed a team which is doing well so that shows we shouldn't be scared of anyone in this league. Portsmouth is a great place to play, they'll have a lot of fans there, but we want to go down there and upset that party." 

"I want this to feel like my club," he concluded. "To get the goal was a great start ... but it is just a start. There's eight games of the season left so I'm just looking forward and hopefully I can continue this form. I think there's definitely more to come from me."