Former Portsmouth Academy goalkeeper Ryan Hall is looking forward to testing himself with a run in the National League as he looks set to continue to deputise for Aldershot Town number one Mitch Walker.
Walker was absent for the Shots’ 2-1 win over Altrincham on Saturday after a positive coronavirus test, leaving Hall to make his National League debut.
Many, including the 20-year-old shot-stopper himself, would regard Saturday’s game as his true Shots debut – his only other appearance coming in a 7-0 FA Trophy replay defeat to Bedford Town when the Shots were forced to send a squad made up of their youth team due to an injury crisis.
However, there are no question marks over the validity of Saturday’s game or, in fact, the quality of Hall’s performance, which included punching clear a late Altrincham free-kick.
The young keeper was well protected by his defence but commanded his area confidently when called upon and only conceded from the penalty spot.
“I feel like this is my first team debut,” Hall said after Saturday's game. “I was nervous before, but I had a first touch and got into it. The boys helped me and overall I think I did well.
“I’ve got quite a good record with penalties so I was hoping I might save it, but he went down the middle. But I was pleased with the free-kick late on because it’s quite a nervous one, that late in the game. I just focused on the ball and he hit it quite hard, but it was close to me and I managed to keep it out.
“The weather conditions changed a lot during the game. The wind kept on for the full 90 minutes, but especially in the first half, so I was trying to get as much height on my kicks as I could. The second half was easier as I had the wind behind me, but it was sunny, then raining, then hail. All sorts.”
Hall, who was born in Portsmouth but grew up on the Isle of Wight, found out midweek that he would be starting Saturday’s game.
His only regret is that he was stood in front of an empty East Bank for his first senior game at the EBB Stadium.
“It started on Wednesday and then on Thursday evening I knew for definite I’d be starting,” Hall said. “I told my mum first.
“It was disappointing to not have the supporters behind me in the first half – that would have been the icing on the cake.
“There’s a lot of difference between academy football and first team, but that is one of them. Having a crowd singing and cheering would have been nice.
“It doesn’t take the pressure off not having a crowd either as you’re still aware there are people watching on the TV and if, anything, if there had been a crowd it would give you an extra boost.
“It was nerve-racking either way.”
Hall’s assured performance was all the more impressive given his lack of time on the pitch in recent months.
“Before this, the last game I’d played was in December for the U23s,” he said.
“And before that I’d played two or three games, but I haven’t played regularly since last March.
“However long you have out you still have the basics, but it hasn’t helped to have only played four times in the past year.”
The young keeper, who joined the north Hampshire club's academy more than three years ago, is now expecting to get a run in the Shots team and including starting Saturday’s game against Boreham Wood.
“It’s very exciting,” Hall said of the prospect of staying in the team.
“I want to put in the performances to show why I’m here and why I can be trusted to be played.
“This is what I’ve been working towards the whole time I’ve been playing football.
“I’ve been ready for it whenever the opportunity came, whether that was last season, this season or whenever.”
Shots boss Danny Searle said in the long run he is hoping to send Hall out on loan to a National League South side – which the keeper would welcome.
“I need to get as much experience as I can,” Hall said. “I want to put in the performances to show why I should be starting.”
