Gosling keeps his feet on the ground after celebrating first goal for Exeter

Jake Gosling sported the biggest grin in the Westcountry after netting his first goal for Exeter City in the 3-0 win npower League Two victory against Northampton Town last Saturday, yet he was still not completely satisfied with his performance.

Gosling hit the national headlines earlier this season when he helped Dorchester Town dump Plymouth Argyle out of the FA Cup with the only goal of the game for his on-loan club back in November.

However, Gosling bettered that against the Cobblers with a brilliant individual goal, the third in Exeter's convincing win at St James' Park.

"I was happy, but I think I can play a little bit better than that. I am just really pleased to get my first goal for Exeter and I hope there are many more to come," Gosling said.

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"It was a great header by Scot [Bennett] and he said to me afterwards, 'Does that count as an assist?' I said, 'Of course it does!'

"I knew the full-back was coming behind me, so I got across him and then took it wide, got that yard of space and tried to hit it in the bottom corner. Luckily, the goalkeeper fumbled it into the goal.

"I realised where the full-back was and I thought, if I cut across him, he would either foul me or I would be into the 18 yard box. I was wary of him, but I knew when I drove past him I would be all right as I was one on one.

"It was great to score my first goal for the Exeter first team in front of the Big Bank, they are great fans in there and it was a special moment. My family were in the [FlyBe] stand, so I gave them a wave as well.

"The lads were all delighted for me, saying, 'Well done Gosy' and stuff like that. It's a good feeling, but I was happy to get the three points, really."

It has certainly been a season to remember for Gosling, who was playing for the Grecians' Under-18 side 12 months ago. Now, though, he is an established member of the first-team squad, but the affable former Hartpury College student is not getting carried away by his rise to prominence.

"Without a doubt," he said. "Listen, I have scored one goal, but I am not silly enough to think I have made it now and will score in every game. I am a young lad developing and I just want to learn and get better every day.

"It was a great goal and a great performance," he added, "but I am just looking forward to improving and getting better every day.

"Goals give you confidence. I am only a young lad but it was a really massive confidence booster to score my first goal so early [in my career]. It doesn't lift the pressure so much, but I can try and get more now, so it lifts that burden off you. I have to try and play like that when I don't score as well, so it's something for me to work on."

One thing Gosling has had to work on is dealing with the physical challenge of men's football. Playing against Northampton is a physical test, with many of Aidy Boothroyd's side over 6ft, but Gosling never shirked from his responsibilities.

"I'm known as a midget and I looked even more like one out there," he said. "It's a different challenge, but, as a team, we were all really strong and I'm glad we won because it was a great win for us."

Gosling is hoping to have done enough to keep his place in the starting XI for the Grecians' trip to Bristol Rovers tomorrow, when victory will lift Exeter into the top three.

"It's a massive derby and I can't wait for that. Hopefully I have earned a place, but you never know what the manager wants to do – he does what is right for the team," he said.

"Bristol Rovers did us a favour by beating Burton on Saturday and a few other teams in and around us slipped up, so we are going into the game full of confidence, looking to get another three points and carrying on our good form.

"We are a really tight-knit group and we regrouped after the Burton game and the two wins [against Port Vale and Northampton] are what we needed."