Walsall defender Liam Gordon on how catastrophic non-league debut made his stronger

In a real baptism of fire, Gordon was handed his debut aged just 16 and learned a valuable lesson that day. 

Gordon conceded a penalty and was shown a second yellow card as Carshalton were condemned to a harrowing 7-1 drubbing at the hands of Ramsgate. 

For Gordon himself, the experience of being thrown in at the deep end eventually taught him to swim against the tide. 

"Obviously I got the red card in that game but it was a big shift in mentality playing in men's football," he recalls.

"Growing up, I was used to play against men in my area but it wasn't a proper competitive game.

"It was a great experience. I felt ready at that age and you could say I was big headed as a young player but I just believed in my ability. 

"That was a big shift for me and that taught me so much about football. The dark arts of the game, the mentality and physicality. I realised that a lot has got to change from here and thankfully it did."

He went on to join Dagenham & Redbridge's academy later that year and made his breakthrough into the first team in April 2018 following loan spells at Whithawk, Hendon and Dartford. 

Gordon scored on his maiden start for Dagenham in a 5-3 victory at Guiseley in what was a memorable occasion for all the right reasons.

"I'm probably similar with my celebrations now. I don't know what to do. I did about seven celebrations then and I still do that to this day," he laughs.

"John Still gave me my debut there and I was thankful for that, and I will always be thankful to all the managers who gave me a chance at a young age.

"It was great getting thrown into the National League. That was a big thing for me and the season after that, I was able to kick on under Peter Taylor."

Now an ever-present in Mat Sadler's table-topping Walsall side, the Guyana international surpassed a century of appearances for the club earlier in the campaign. 

Yet he has never forgotten his non-league roots.

"I've been in a position where I was at Dagenham & Redbridge and you're thinking that's where you want to be," he concludes.

"Then I've been on the other side of it like when we played Sheppey in the FA Cup. I bring myself back down to them and realise how much of an occasion that is for them. 

"Not to ever think that you can just go through the motions in that game. It's a massive occasion and opportunity for them to bring in money so you've got to be on it. 

"I find those games harder than playing against teams in our league because they've got more to gain. The league goes out the window and it means so much to them as a club. 

"Those are the games that I do cherish because they bring me back down to earth and makes me remember the times when I was in non-league."