Rising Port Vale star Baylee Dipepa stayed humble as he thanked fans, teammates and family after his brilliant goal helped the Valiants to a vital win over Bristol Rovers.
The 17 year-old came back from scoring three times on England U17 duty to score a brilliant second goal in Vale’s 2-0 win over Bristol Rovers. The teenager is arguably now one of the side’s hottest prospects after a meteoric rise from the youth ranks.
It’s one of the best feelings you can get. When I’m playing I try and keep myself in the zone but when I’m hearing my name it just helps even more, motivates me even more to keep going and do better…
Dipepa, born in Blythe Bridge and who has been in the Vale juniors since the age of nine is staying grounded despite his second senior goal for the club. He told Vale’s media team: “At the start of the season I would never have expected to be with the first-team and all the boys being as welcoming as they have been with me. The only goal for me personally is to help Vale stay up.”
The forward also paid tribute to his family saying: “I think they’re as happy for me as I am myself. It’s a big thing for me to make them proud. It’s just a bonus on everything else.”
The home fans sang the young striker’s name as he entered the pitch and he said that it can inspire him on the pitch adding: “It’s one of the best feelings you can get. When I’m playing I try and keep myself in the zone but when I’m hearing my name it just helps even more, motivates me even more to keep going and do better.”
It’s certainly been a whirlwind week for the youngster with Dipepa commenting: “Coming back from International (duty) and having a good week there, it’s straight back to business. I joined back with the lads yesterday, it’s a short period of time with them, not much preparation for the game, but obviously unfortunately Willo (James Wilson) came off injured I just had to do what I’ve been told and do my job, come on and help the team get a win.”
Dipepa’s brilliant goal saw him evade several challenges before calmly converting but he played down the impact of the strike adding that the three points were the most important thing. He told the media: ” It was great to get a win, it was very much needed and to score was just a bonus. “
It was a brilliant goal and the Hamil end went bonkers. What is great young talent and what a great day out. Brilliant. Keep going lads we can do this.
Plenty of home grown talent have reached the first team over the years, but just occasionally a young player comes through the youth ranks to make a real impact. Baylee Dipepa’s outstanding goal yesterday had the stamp of a player of great promise. I’ve seen that quality before with Mark Chamberlain, and years prior to that with Mick Cullerton through Sir Stanley Matthews’s outstanding youth policy. Careful management will be key to Dipepa’s development, but the hallmarks are there for the player to potentially make millions for the club.
We asked if you could step up to the plate and you have, what a fantastic second goal against rovers, you took your chance with a skill only great players have, we wish you all the best, please score a few more before the seasons is out, Baylee a local lad come good, already a Vale hero.
Could not be more pleased for the young man could be the best vale player since Chamberlain keep it up