MIDFIELDER Reece King expressed his delight after signing a dual-registration with National League North outfit Gloucester City.
The Malvern Town captain signed for the Tigers last Friday and was immediately involved by manager Tim Harris in their 2-1 defeat to Shortwood United in the Gloucestershire Senior Cup on Monday.
Playing from the start, he grabbed the assist for City’s goal and despite the defeat, King told the Observer he was pleased with his performance.
“I was gutted about the result but the manager said he was pleased with how I played,” he said.
“Getting the assist on my debut was fantastic and I’m glad the club approached me.
“I was on trial at Gloucester earlier in the season until I broke my leg but I’m happy to have signed now.
“No disrespect to Malvern Town but the style of play at this level of football is much quicker.
“There’s a lot more pressure on you and other little factors but I enjoyed it.”
King, who has been a long-serving member at Malvern, will train with Gloucester while playing in the odd cup games in the run-up to the end of the season.
The Hillsiders skipper will still have a key role at the HDAnywhere Community Stadium but he believes he may not be there at the end of the West Midlands (Regional) League Premier Division campaign.
“There’s a couple of factors with Gloucester at the moment, one being my leg which I broke earlier in the season and two being I’m young.” he said.
“I plan to stay at Malvern until the end of the season while training with Gloucester and playing some cup games.
“But I do want to play higher than the West Midlands League. We started so well and had hopes of winning it but that does not look like happening now.
“So the plan could be the Gloucester manager sends me out on loan next season to gain some experience before becoming a regular.
“I have got a discussion with him on Thursday so I’ll know about my role then.”
King’s Malvern priorities began last night (Wednesday) when the Hillsiders lost the first leg of the Worcester Royal Infirmary Cup 2-1 to Midland League Premier Division outfit Stourport Swifts.
And with the Hillsiders’ promotion hopes looking slim, sitting 25 points behind league leaders Haughmond, King, speaking to the Observer on Monday, said the cup game was one of the biggest games of the season.
“It’s a massive game for us as it’s a chance to reach a final and claim some silverware,” he added.
“After the league disappointment, this fixture is arguably the biggest game of our season.”
The Hillsiders return to league action on Saturday when they travel to basement club Gornal Athletic (3pm KO).