Here I Am

The 19-year-old midfielder followed up Graham Carey’s 90th-minute free-kick to secure all three points and send Argyle top of Sky Bet League 2. The strike came four minutes after the visitors’ Roarie Deacon had equalised Reuben Reid’s 43rd-minute opener.

“I’m delighted,” said Hiram. “I’m happy to score, but it is good for the bigger picture and our chase for promotion.

“The bigger picture is us winning the game. That’s the most important thing. Hopefully we can chase this title.

“It was a perfect time to score for me. I’ve been a bit frustrated because I’ve not scored before today. I’m just ecstatic, to be honest, and the fans were happy with it.

“I know Graham always hits the target from his free-kicks. I thought to myself ‘If I chance it, take a gamble and try to get in, I’ve got a good chance of scoring’ and, after that, it was just euphoria.”

The goal owed as much to Argyle’s positivity as it did to the teenager’s positional gamble, and he said: “The biggest thing I’ve noticed in the team is the character when we have conceded. 

“We have always showed great fight and determination to get back. A lot of the lads are saying that’s the difference from last year – that we are able to get together and claw back results.”

Manager Derek Adams hailed the Pilgrims’ first-half performance as the best since he became manager in the summer, as Argyle dominated the ball and ran Crawley ragged.

Hiram said: “When you have got the ball, that’s when you get your breather – football’s easiest when you have got possession of the ball, so that’s what we aim to do. Obviously, Crawley gave quite a bit of pressure in the second half so it made it a bit more difficult but, going forward, that’s the kind of football we like to be playing.”

Hiram has played a majority of his games this season alongside Carl McHugh, who was recalled earlier than expected into the midfield after recovering from a hamstring injury.

“There’s a really good balance in the team,” said Hiram. “Carl does so much for the team, puts his body on the line; Graham is very creative. Let’s not forget players like Josh [Simpson] and Coxy [Lee Cox] on the bench – those two can also come on and do a job; they are just as good players.

“It is definitely good to have those options. It’s a long season – there are lot of games to be played and I am sure everyone will be needed in the team.

“It’s important we don’t get ahead of ourselves and we keep composed and focused on the job in hand, and just keep going. Eventually let’s hope we can create some distance between us and other teams in the league. That’s what we’re aiming for.”