Academy product George Whitefield opened his Dartford account in style last weekend - but insists his biggest battle is yet to come.

The 19-year-old scored a 30-yard rocket as Dartford beat Cheshunt 2-1 in Isthmian Premier at Princes Park on Saturday.

But defender Whitefield has only started three leagues so far this season and while goalscoring exploits are welcome, his priority is clear.

“That’s my biggest battle of the season,” confirmed Whitefield. “This can give me a boost and hopefully I can get my spot cemented.

“I didn’t play much last season but hopefully I can break through into the first team now.

“I’ve been a bit in and out of the team at the moment. Obviously, that goal is not going to secure my spot but hopefully it will lead me towards that and give me more confidence so I can keep going.

“I’m pleased with how I defended. We were disappointed with the goal we conceded, we’ll look back as a team and see things we can do better both defensively and attacking-wise.

“I thought I won most of my headers. That’s probably the best I’ve played all season so hopefully I can put in a few more performances like that.”

Whitefield has been at Dartford since the age of six so it was no surprise that his spectacular first goal for the club meant so much to him.

“I definitely didn’t think I would score like that,” smiled Whitefield. “Funnily enough I did have a feeling I would score on Saturday but I thought it’d probably be a header or a tap-in from a second ball.

“To score my first goal like that and to win the game on top of it, which is the most important thing, was amazing.

“As soon as I got it, I saw Ollie Box and Sam Odaudu move out of the way so they kind of knew I was shooting.

“I thought I’ve just got to hit it and hope but the way it flew into the top corner was unbelievable. It was such a good feeling!

“Their goalkeeper was a very good player - if he’d saved that one I would have been fuming.

“I don’t think I’ve struck a ball like that in my life but as soon as it left my foot I knew it was a goal. Afterwards the celebrations were unbelievable, I’ve never felt anything like that before.

“The adrenalin rushed straight to me. I saw the photographer and thought I’m going straight over there - but I messed up the knee slide a little bit! The rush of scoring was insane.

“That’s the first shot I’ve had this season, everything else has been a header. I don’t even think I’ve done that when I was in the academy, I only scored headers for them.

“I’ve been here since I was six so to score a goal like that at Princes Park was an unbelievable feeling. Seeing the fans jump up like that, familiar faces in the crowd, it was a great feeling.”

Whitefield has finished his time with the Dartford academy but he still trains with them when he can, fitting in extra sessions alongside working with his father.

But now his focus is fully on Dartford’s league trip to Hashtag United this evening (Tuesday).

“I work with my dad as an apprentice plumber and I’m enjoying that as well,” he said.

“He doesn’t work me too hard so I’m fresh for training and when I can I try to do extra sessions here with the academy.

“The gaffer stressed how important the three points were on Saturday. We all knew that and everyone came together so it was good to get it.

“We all knew a win was coming with the performances, 100 per cent, but it was a case of when.

“Hashtag is going to be a tough game. We need to make sure we don’t get too ahead of ourselves and too confident.”