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Ebbsfleet United midfielder Michael West dedicates his goal against Whitehawk to his late grandfather

Michael West celebrates his late goal with Theo Lewis Picture: Paul Jarvis
Michael West celebrates his late goal with Theo Lewis Picture: Paul Jarvis

An emotional Michael West dedicated his comeback goal on Good Friday to his late grandfather.

West came off the bench to make his first appearance for more than a year and scored in stoppage-time as the Fleet beat Whitehawk 3-0 at Stonebridge Road.

He said: "I said to myself last night that if I came on, I’d score for my Grandad because he passed away a few weeks ago, so I said I’d do it for him.

"He was the guy, outside my Mum and Dad, who was always at my house asking 'how’s your football?' and 'what are you up to?' so I said to myself that if I do come on, hopefully I’ll score for him. It means the world to me.

"It was very emotional and my Mum was here as well."

Having suffered a serious knee injury playing at Whitehawk in March 2014, West had multi-ligament reconstruction surgery and slowly worked his way back to fitness over 12 long months.

He said: "I found out at training that I was going to play a bit, so it was a good bonus for me then. It’s been just over 12 months and it’s been a hard, long time, mentally more than physically, so it means a lot – especially back at home.

"I can’t really put it into words, I’m just over the moon.

"It’s been nearly two years since I scored a goal so it’s a bit of a weight off my shoulders. Hopefully I can keep them coming. I’ve got six games left and we’ll see what happens."

West's goal was a neat header from Luke Rooney's left-wing cross.

He said: "Rooney came over to me when there was an interval in play and he said ‘as soon as I get the ball, get in the box or look for a switch.’

"He got it and I was in the box at the right time. I stopped my run and just headed it.

"I was going to chest it. In training, I probably would chest it but it was raining so I thought I’d best not. I headed it and it went in."

West added: "I’m out of contract at the end of the year so hopefully I can do what I did two years ago and you never know what can happen.

"The first hurdle was getting fit and getting back out there again. The second hurdle is cementing my place."

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