Logan Dobbs of Gillingham remembers on his first senior game, debut goal, and an FA Cup strike for Welling United.

 Logan Dobbs, a teenage defender, described the past three days as "unreal" after scoring his first professional goal for Gillingham on Tuesday night.

His Vertu Trophy opening against Fulham under-21s, which resulted in a 4-1 victory for the Gills, came only days after Welling United scored a thrilling FA Cup equaliser.

It's been a hectic few days for the 18-year-old centre defender.

Last Saturday, he scored an 87th-minute equaliser for loan club Welling to keep their FA Cup dreams alive, before former Gills player Greg Cundle completed a 2-1 comeback victory against Uxbridge in their first qualifying round clash.


Three days later, he made his maiden senior game for the Gills and scored his first goal at Priestfield.

"It's been really good," Dobbs added. "To get the equaliser for Welling in the FA Cup, followed by my first professional start and goal for Gillingham - I'm ecstatic, to be honest.

"I had no idea I'd be starting for the Gills on Tuesday." I found out around an hour and a half before kickoff, which helped alleviate the shock.

"I thought I'd just be in and around it, but when I saw my name, I was buzzing."


Dobbs began alongside newcomer Travis Akomeah in the heart of defence, but he had an immediate impact at the other end of the ball, scoring three minutes into the group-stage encounter after blasting home an Aaron Rowe assist.

"The ball came to me, and I thought, 'I'm just going to swing a leg at it,' and it turned out perfectly!

"I honestly felt Rowe was going to shoot. That's why I was astonished when it came to mind. I just thought, 'I need to get a shot off'.

"I couldn't see the goal because I was obstructed, but I'm glad it went in.


"It was unbelievable. I was astonished that I even scored. That emotion basically prepared me for the game. My confidence was high."

Dobbs is adjusting to men's football thanks to a loan stay at Welling United, where he has played six whole games this season for Lee Martin's Isthmian Premier Division club.

That expertise has been beneficial as he seeks to follow in the footsteps of Sam Gale.

He explained, "I've gone out on loan, trying to prove what I can accomplish in men's football.

"We have a lot of talented defenders at Gillingham. It's difficult to break through, but the goal is to get expertise with various football styles. "I'm trying to adjust to them all."

Dobbs played for his hometown club Ipswich Town until the age of 16, when he went to the Gills due to a lack of scholarship opportunities. He has been living away from home since then.

Getting a taste of first-team football makes the sacrifices worthwhile.


"I'm very happy the Gaffer gave me a chance," stated the man.

"I'm not normally apprehensive before a game, but I was.

"Hopefully, I demonstrated what I could achieve, but this is merely the beginning. It's my first aim and start, but I want to do more.


"Sam Gale is someone I look up to. Clearly, he broke through. He is doing fine. I'm just trying to be the same as him. Go out on loan, learn what I need to know, then maybe come back here and show myself."

Dobbs is anticipated to return to Welling for their Isthmian Premier Division away game against second-placed Dulwich Hamlet on Saturday.

He stated: "Lee Martin (the Welling manager) has placed his faith in me. He said, 'You're going to play'. I simply need to show him what I can accomplish.

"It is extremely nice. Good for my fitness as well. "Hopefully, we can win this weekend."

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