Doncaster Rovers: Grateful Alfie Beestin still in shock at progress

Alfie Beestin has his first league goal in the bag '“ and he cannot quite believe how far he has come.
Alfie Beestin celebrates his goal against Plymouth ArgyleAlfie Beestin celebrates his goal against Plymouth Argyle
Alfie Beestin celebrates his goal against Plymouth Argyle

Less than 18 months ago he was with Tadcaster Albion before being snapped up as ‘one for the future’ by Rovers.

The future certainly seems to be now for the 20-year-old, who has started four of the last seven Rovers games.

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But he still has to pinch himself over the progress he has made.

“It has come as a surprise,” he told the Free Press.

“It’s just whenever my time has come I want to take my chance.

“Thankfully I’ve done that and the gaffer has kept me in.

“I owe it to him, having belief in me.

“I hadn’t scored in the amount of games I’d played in.

“I scored on my debut in the Checkatrade Trophy but it’s been a long time since then.

“The gaffer has kept belief in me and I can only thank him for that.

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“My target was to get here but it came a bit quicker than I thought.

“I still think I can progress physically.

“I still feel I can improve a lot on that.

“Technically I think I’ve always been good enough. It’s more on the physical side I needed to work on.”

It is technique that quickly marked Beestin out as one to watch following his switch to Rovers.

He may have scored on debut against Mansfield Town last season – and a fine goal at that – but a sensational through ball from which Rovers should have scored will live long in the memory.

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His technique has impressed his team mates and Tommy Rowe described him as one of the best at the club in that department, despite his relative inexperience.

Beestin said: “When players like Tommy Rowe say that it is a big boost.

“Tommy is one of the best players at the club. I think he’s awesome technically.

“When he says something like that it just gives me more confidence.”

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He may be well on the way to establishing himself as a first team regular but Beestin insists he is not taking his position for granted.

The forward could regularly be seen pushing equipment crates back to the team bus last season.

And he says he has not left such duties behind just yet.

“I still help out,” Beestin said.

“Just because I’m playing doesn’t mean I don’t have to do it. I’ll still do that.

“I’m not just going to leave it to the young lads. I’m still a young lad.

“I don’t have to clean my boots but I still clean them.

“I don’t see the point in making the young lads do it.”

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His maiden league goal in last weekend’s draw with Plymouth Argyle demonstrated the superb vision and technique for which he is lauded.

And he hopes it was just the start of a regular stream of strikes.

“I’m really pleased with it,” he said.

“It started last week with missing that chance.

“It was in my head for a while.

“I’ve got this first goal and I just need to kick on now and get some more.”