After his breakout season for Whickham FC, Marlind Ymeri sat down with young goalkeeper Robbie Smith to discuss how he felt during his first season at the club.
Q: How was your Cup and League debut against Boldon and Guisborough?
A: “Not something I had really prepared for. I was very nervous to be honest with you, but the lads were great with me, and credit to them really keeping a clean sheet in that half was massive for me. That game helped me a lot for my Northern League debut against Guisborough. I felt a lot better going into that game, and although we lost, I learnt a lot from that experience as well.”
Q: How has the step up been since you moved up to the first team?
A: “Massive step up, especially considering what I am used to. It has been a learning lesson throughout.”
Q: How would you assess your performances throughout the season?
A: “As I said before, it has been a massive learning process. I know I can still get better. I will work as hard as I can to improve. I feel the more games I play, the more comfortable I feel.”
Q: What was your favourite save of the season?
A: “Without a doubt, the double save I made against West Auckland, we won that game 2-1 and because this season we spent it in a relegation scrap it was massive for us to get the three points in that game.”
Q: What was the best experience for you this season?
A: “The cup final was surreal to me, the result was not ideal at all, but still, for me personally, I am a Sunderland fan, and playing at the Stadium of Light, being on that pitch is something I will never forget.”
Written by Marlind Ymeri
