Hampton & Richmond Borough striker Charlie Moone is yet to convince boss Alan Devonshire he is capable of playing at a higher level.
The 21-year-old bagged a brace in Saturday’s 3-2 win over Dover Athletic, a result described by the Beveree chief as ‘the best win of the season’.
Moone, releesed by Blue Square South rivals Woking in the summer, has five league goals for the Beavers to his name and has been the discovery of the season thus far.
Former Hampton striker Ben Wright earned a moved to Peterborough United on the back of a pre-Christmas hot streak.
But Devonshire says his new protege - invited to the club by friend Dave Tarpey - has work to do if he wants to head in a similar direction.
“The lad has done well for us, but there are a lot of people who have done that for us this season,” he said.
“We’ve only played ten league games so he has a long way to go. It is too early for me to say how good he could be.
“He has got five goals. Ask me when he has 25 goals from 40 odd games and you might get a different answer.
“At the end of the day he is a different type of player to Ben. He is a good player and is getting better.”
Skipper Ian Hodges - standing in for the injured Dean Wells - gave his side the lead inside two minutes on Saturday, an advantage that Moone doubled 20 minutes later.
Dover hit back before the break, but Hampton’s third killed off their play-off rivals despite the visitors grabbing a second late on.
“It was more comfortable than a 3-2 scoreline might suggest. It was a good all round performance. The best win of the season, “ added Devonshire.
Wells is a doubt for Saturday’s FA Cup third qualifying round trip to Ryman Premier Division Harrow Borough, while the Beveree chief is sweating on the fitness of three others.
“It is going to be tough, but it is about getting a result and getting into the next round. It is as simple as that,” said the Hampton boss.
“Three or four of the boys are 50-50 whether they will be fit and it is fair to say that it is going to be important that we get them out there.”
Hampton’s next three games: Oct 9 Harrow Borough (a), 16 Farnborough (h), 23 Ebbsfleet Utd (a).
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