New father Amadou Bakayoko has been reflecting with Saddlers TV on his breakthrough game for Walsall - the 5-2 Checkatrade Trophy win over Grimsby Town last August.
Bakayoko was handed his first start of the 2016/17 season in that game, The Saddlers’ first in the competition last campaign and netted a fine first-half hat-trick to put us firmly in command following an early opener for the visitors to the Banks’s Stadium.
Speaking to Saddlers TV, the 21-year-old - who became a father for the first time just over a week ago - knew he was in for a good game ahead of the tie kicking off and what he had to do once we had gone a goal down.
“It was my first start so I knew I had to impress,” Bakayoko said.
“I had a feeling before the game that I was going to start.
“But I was excited. I was ready to go.
“I relaxed and did my job and I’m delighted with the way it went.
“The game before that was the 3-3 draw against Bury. And Grimsby went 1-0 up. At that point I was thinking I’ve got to do something about this.
“But I got the goal and then went onto get two more.”
Bakayoko clearly enjoyed the Checkatrade Trophy last season, with six of his 10 goals overall coming in that competition.
“I did enjoy the competition and playing with the players and in the games that I did,” added the young forward.
“It was brilliant for me.
“I thought we played well in all of the games.”