SAMSON Tovide will never forget his first professional goal.

The teenager’s strike in Colchester United’s 3-0 home triumph over Doncaster Rovers last November was a landmark moment in the young striker’s embryonic career and one that ultimately paved the way for him to become a permanent fixture, in the club’s first-team squad.

So much so, that when the U’s travel to play Rovers in the return fixture this weekend, it would come as something of a surprise if Tovide is not named in the starting line-up, such is his rise to prominence over recent months.

“It was a special moment,” said Tovide, who has made 30 senior appearances for Colchester in the current campaign.

“To score and win the game 3-0 and keep a clean sheet – it was really good.”

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With his talent, power and tireless work in attack, Tovide has played his part in helping Colchester rise to League Two safety.

The 19-year-old was outstanding in the U’s 4-1 victory over Sutton United last weekend, playing a part in three of the hosts’ four goals.

“For me as a young player, it’s been about playing with no fear and no stress really,” said Tovide, who made his professional league debut for Colchester in October, 2021.

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“I can’t really do much wrong and I’ve just tried to stay grounded.

“I’m literally taking it day by day and enjoying my football, this whole season.

“I had last season and the season before that but to be in the team consistently feels really good.

“I do feel disappointed if I’m not starting now.

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“I’m just trying to do what I can to help the team really, whether it’s scoring or assisting or whatever it is, that’s the main focus really.

“If I can add a couple of goals to that, it would be good.

“It feels good to know that I’m helping the team.”

Tovide is one of a number of academy-grown players to feature for Colchester, this season.

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He has been a regular along with Noah Chilvers and Junior Tchamadeu while at the other end of the age range, the likes of Luke Chambers and John Akinde have helped complement that youthful exuberance.

“There are experienced players in our team like Luke Chambers and they’ve helped us through it,” said Tovide.

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“I have a good relationship with the likes of John Akinde, Tom Hopper and Freddie Sears and I’m always learning from them.

“Freddie has played in the Premier League and I like watching his runs, Tom Hopper has scored quite a few goals.

“John and I have a good relationship; we sit next to each other in the changing room and the banter’s good – I’m just learning from him every day.

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“He’s scored a lot of goals and played a lot of games.”

Tovide has played under three permanent head coaches at Colchester, this season.

He started the campaign playing under Wayne Brown prior to Matt Bloomfield and current boss Ben Garner taking the helm, at the JobServe Community Stadium.

Tovide said: “It’s been really good playing under Ben Garner.

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“I’ve had to take on a lot of information but he’s helped me adapt to that really quickly.

“I feel like I’m getting better and better every day.

“Matt Bloomfield is a young manager as well, so he kind of knew what it was like for a young player as he broke in quite early as well.

“I’ve learnt a lot from him as well.”

Colchester will be looking to extend their unbeaten run to nine matches at Doncaster tomorrow.

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The U’s are looking to finish the season strongly and Tovide says they are focused on securing another win, despite safety having been assured.

Tovide added: “We’ve still got a job to do and we want to go ten games unbeaten until the end of the season.

“We want to go into next season starting strong.

“We’ve got to go there and do a job and get a result.

“It felt good to beat Sutton and it was a big relief off our shoulders.

“Confidence is really high and the focus is now on Doncaster and getting a result.”