Colchester United debutant Rhys Healey says scoring his first-ever Football League goal is a moment he will never forget.

And the U’s loanee admits the feeling of netting in their 3-0 triumph at Crewe Alexandra was on a par with making his Premier League debut for parent club Cardiff City, at the end of last season.

Healey scored Colchester’s second goal in their comprehensive win at Gresty Road, just minutes after coming on as a second-half substitute for Craig Eastmond.

And the 19-year-old, who featured for Cardiff against Chelsea on the final day of last season, says finding the net on his debut was a memorable feeling.

Healey said: “It’s a moment that I’ll always remember.

“Making my debut in the Premier League was the best feeling ever.

“But coming on in the Football League and scoring was just the same.

“I was buzzing to get on and I was over the moon to top it off with a goal.

“I think it was with my first touch and you just have to take the chances as they come, because you don’t get many in this league.

“At Cardiff I was slotting them in aswell and I just want to prove to people that if I get a chance, I’ll take it.

“It was a great assist from Gavin (Massey) and he saw me straight away.

“When you get through on goal, the best you can do is hit the target and keep it low and if you do that, not much can go wrong then.”

Healey is hoping to help Colchester continue their recent improvement in the coming weeks, after their victory at Crewe lifted them out of the bottom four.

The Manchester-born striker, who joined the U’s on a three-month loan, says he has enjoyed his stint at the Weston Homes Community Stadium so far.

He added: “It’s going well at the moment and I hope it carries on now.

“The lads are great and they’re young too which is good and they’re getting their opportunities.

“I want to help Colchester progress up the table and also get the experience I need.”