Former Middlesbrough FC prospect Archie Baptiste insists there is 'plenty more to come' following impressive Harrogate Town debut
Archie Baptiste insisted that there is “plenty more to come” from him following his impressive full debut for Harrogate Town.
The 20-year-old centre-half arrived at Wetherby Road from Middlesbrough this summer and made his first competitive appearance for the Sulphurites during Saturday’s 5-2 win over Solihull Moors.
As well as delivering an extremely assured defensive performance on the left-hand side of Simon Weaver’s back three, Baptiste also popped up with a stunning goal to break the deadlock just before half-time.
And the former Tottenham Hotspur youngster has promised Town supporters that they can expect so see more of the same from him over the coming months as he and his team-mates attempt to secure an immediate return to the Football League.
"It was good to get the win and also to help the team out with a goal as well,” Baptiste told the Harrogate Advertiser.
"I felt comfortable out there and absolutely loved it. Ever since I got here, everyone has been welcoming and I feel at home already, which is really good.
“But, there’s plenty more to come from me. This is just the beginning and there’s going to be a lot more from me as the season goes on.
“The fans can expect to see me continue to play out from the back. I am very confident on the ball, I’m a ball-playing centre-half, so there will be a lot of that as well me defending, of course, and I love a physical battle.
"I just want to contribute to the team. I want to push myself on to the next level, but at the same time help this club get back to where we belong.”
With the game still goalless despite Town having dominated possession for almost the entirety of the first half, Baptiste unleashed an eye-catching 20-yard half-volley to break the deadlock on 44 minutes.
"The goal was one of my better strikes,” he added.
"I just thought I’d have a go and just smash it, and it has ended up in the back of the net.
"I was just trying to put my foot through it and get it on target, and you never know. Obviously it has ended up going in the top corner, which is a good result, I would say,
"I’ve scored a couple of goals and contributed a couple of assists in my career so far, but it is an area of my game where I want to keep on improving.
"I just want to contribute as much as possible, and if that’s me scoring goals, then that’s me scoring goals.”