Roberts' Charlton Reaction

It has been quite the month or two for Caleb Roberts.

In mid-October he made his first Argyle start when playing against Crystal Palace Under-21s in the Papa Johns Trophy, and when he turned 17 on 2 November, signed his first professional contract.

Three days after that, Caleb made a late substitute appearance at Grimsby Town in the Emirates FA Cup to mark another step in his progression.

Then, on Tuesday night, he made another little bit of personal history. Starting Argyle’s Papa Johns second round game against Charlton Athletic, Roberts scored the Pilgrims’ third goal in a 3-2 victory, in the process becoming the fifth-youngest player to ever score in the green and white.

The midfielder, from Ivybridge, has been in good form for Darren Way’s Under-18 team this season, and was naturally pleased to translate that into the first team.

“It was great. It was such a good feeling,” he said.  

“I have played a couple of games and haven’t managed to score, so to get on the scoresheet is good.

“I’ve bagged a few [for the under-18s] to be fair, more than most of my seasons so far.”

Roberts played in the centre of Argyle’s midfield with Adam Randell, five years Caleb’s senior, and given the armband for the game. Randell was a calm, controlled figure in the centre of the park, and his presence, along with other senior players such as Niall Ennis, Bali Mumba and Sam Cosgrove, was not lost on Roberts.

“We had the senior players there to get hold of the game,” said Caleb. “Adam Randell would just quieten it down. It was so helpful [playing alongside Adam] because you have someone to look up to and to follow his actions. He sets an example on the pitch.

“It’s a confidence booster, getting to play for the first team and getting minutes. Now we are through to the next round and hopefully that will be some more minutes.”

The win puts Argyle into round three, and suddenly a scenario arises where just three more wins could see the Greens in the final of the competition.

Could Caleb’s perfect season be capped by an appearance at Wembley?

“That would be amazing!” he said.