DION Charles hopes his memorable last-minute winner for Wanderers at Shrewsbury is not his last magical moment in a Wanderers shirt.
The striker produced a brilliant volley to secure a long-awaited away win for Ian Evatt’s side, dedicating his goal to new-born daughter, Hattie.
So, while there may be sleepless nights ahead for the Northern Ireland international, he will have rested easily after capping off an all-action performance on Saturday by netting his first for the club.
“Hopefully it is the first of many,” he said. “I had a great angle on it, as soon as it left my foot I knew it was a goal and I ran off to celebrate with the crowd.
“We have not had the best of results recently. It has picked up a bit since I have been here and it shows what it means right there.
“It is why you play football, you want moments like that, last-minute winners. It is very special for me.”
Charles arrived at Wanderers earlier this month playing catch-up after a contract dispute with his former club Accrington Stanley left him mothballed for months in the club’s reserves.
He steadily built up to play his first 90 minutes at Shrewsbury, saving the very best until last when he left home keeper Marko Marosi standing with a brilliant volley directly in front of more than 1,600 travelling supporters.
“I am not going to lie – it was quite tough, but I have moved on now and I am looking forward,” he said of his time in exile at Accy.
“My last competitive games were way back in September so I have been a bit rusty, had to blow off a few cobwebs. I wouldn’t say I am fully match fit yet but I am getting there. Long may the goal-scoring continue.”
Wanderers bolstered their attack in January with Charles and Iceland international Jon Dadi Bodvarsson, leaving manager Ian Evatt with plenty of different tactical options to explore.
Charles started alongside Amadou Bakayoko at Shrewsbury but it was only after the introduction of Dapo Afolayan in the second half that things really started to spark.
Seeing options like Afolayan waiting to step off the bench has motivated Charles to improve his own performances over the last two games.
“He is the top scorer at the club and a great player,” he added. “The gaffer put his faith in me to start the game but every player knows they have to be right on their game because if you are not, someone like that will come in and show you their quality. It keeps you on your toes.”
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