Striker wants to lead the line this season

MICHAEL Thalassitis says he was pleased to get his first goal for Stevenage but was disappointed it was only a consolation in the defeat to Southampton.

The teenage Cypriot forward spent time on loan at Hayes & Yeading towards the end of last season, scoring three goals in five games, and this season has forced himself onto the bench for Boro’s opening games.

Thalassitis came off the bench on Tuesday for Marcus Haber and scored his side’s consolation in injury time, and afterwards he said that his aim was to force his way into the starting XI and become Boro’s first choice striker.

“It was good to get my first professional goal but it was a bit of a shame it was just a consolation,” the 19-year-old said afterwards.

“I thought the team created a lot of chances and I thought deserved more than the 4-1 scoreline. It was never a 4-1 game.

“I’m not sure how many minutes were on the clock when I came on. I just wanted to come on and work hard and make some sort of impact.

“I had one header when Darius [Charles] put the cross in and I should have done better with that and should have hit the target and I didn’t so I was a bit disappointed with that.

“But when the next chance came I looked up, took a touch past the defender and hit it in the bottom corner.

“I then had another header, and it would have been nice to get two but I’ll settle for one for my first debut goal in the League Cup.”

Speaking about his ambitions for the future, the front man said: “I’d like to be our main striker.

“That’s what every other striker would like.

“That’s my goal, to get in the starting line-up week in week out and if I can eventually do that then hopefully I can hold my place there.”

Speaking about his young goalscorer, manager Gary Smith said: “At the moment we’re very short of options up front and he’s come into the frame and onto the field in certain moments that have made a difference.

“He’s injected some energy, he’s shown a real tenacity when he’s joined the game, and the goal itself has given him, I’m sure, a confidence boost.”