'Proud' Derry City debut for Tom Norcott as Reading loanee relishes pressure between the sticks
TOM NORCOTT has bided his time on the Derry City bench since completing his loan move from Reading in July and suddenly he's been thrust into the spotlight for the Brandywell club's biggest game of the season.
City No.1 Brian Maher has been struggling to shake off a troublesome ankle injury sustained against UCD in the FAI Cup third round in Belfield last month, opening a window of opportunity for 21-year-old Englishman Norcott.
Handed his debut in the 3-3 draw against champions Shamrock Rovers at Brandywell on Sunday afternoon, Norcott - who has less than 15 senior appearances to his name - produced a stunning late save to deny Will Fitzgerald's header.
There was little he could do to stop all three Rovers' goals which were fired in from close range and he'll take confidence from his first involvement in the City first team.
Maher is unlikely to fully recover from his injury in time for Sunday's visit of Dundalk to Brandywell for the FAI Cup quarter-final and Norcott is ready to step into the breach once again should he be called upon.
"We're buzzing for it," he said. "There's a lot of preparation going on behind the scenes and I'm looking forward to it."
Derry interim boss Mark Connolly was delighted with Norcott's 'outstanding' debut display in such a significant test against Rovers.
"Tom was outstanding and ends up pulling off an incredible save at the end," said Connolly. "Brian got a knock against UCD and his ankle still isn't right. Tom came in tonight and I thought he was superb. To come in on his debut at Brandywell against Shamrock Rovers, I thought he was outstanding."
Norcott's family were in attendance for the game at Brandywell and it was a 'proud' moment for the youngster.
"I was buzzing to make my debut. I've been here a couple of months; I've been patient and working hard. So I was delighted to make my debut.
"I was really excited when I found out I was going to play and then walking out in front of the fans and the music, it was a surreal experience. I was so excited and so proud.
"There's always nerves before games but once the whistle goes you're just focussed on the game and what you have to do. It was a decent game. It was a little end-to-end, but the boys worked so hard and the fact that I could bail them out right at the end was the least I could do for them."
He's hoping to experience the full Brandywell roar on Sunday.
"The fans were brilliant. Clapping us off at half-time really gave us a buzz and we were sorry to let them down.
"The fans are everything. The Brandywell is such a fortress. Top of the league coming and we almost had them. Hopefully they get down and support the boys [on Sunday], make a lot of noise and we'll do you proud."