Teenage defender Ryan Sardi is keeping a level head despite his rapid rise to the ranks of senior football. Sardi displayed a maturity well beyond his 18 years on his first team debut a fortnight ago, and another assured performance last weekend served to highlight just how bright a future he has at Inglewood United.

It also emphasised how far Sardi has come in just nine months ago. “I’m quite happy with the progress I’ve made this year,” said Sardi, who started the year playing Under-18s. “The club has assisted in improving all aspects of my game – technically, mentally and strategically – and this has contributed to me becoming a more confident and resilient player.”

“I’m enjoying being part of the first team. The players have welcomed me and been very supportive, and the positive feedback I’ve got from the coaches has definitely been a confidence boost. I’ve adapted well and I’m reasonably happy with my performances, even though I feel that I should have contributed a little more at times.”

Sardi, who joined Inglewood at the beginning of the year, considers the youth teams’ early season tour of Spain as a turning point his in development. “The trip was a great inspiration,” he said of Aprils’ three-game trip hosted by Real Valladolid. “The chance to experience international and professional football was a once in a lifetime opportunity.”

What the teenager took away with him from Spain has been instrumental in his rise to senior football. The hard work he put in on the training pitch and match day was rewarded with a regular starting role in the Under-18s and a handful of outings with the Under-20s prior to being promoted to Michael Garcia’s list last month.

Sardi is one of several youngsters to have come into first team reckoning in recent times, something he says will benefit all parties involved. “The club must have a pool of younger players that are able to replace senior players as required,” commented Sardi, who is joined in the squad by fellow teenagers Paul Zimarino and Jacob Mustafa.

“The exposure to senior football we are getting will help our development and make us better players in the long run. It also gives the coaches an opportunity to assess whether we are good enough to be playing at this level right now, and allows them to identify any weaknesses in our individual games which we can then work on.”