Toby Stevenson certainly made an explosive start to his Charlton career at Stevenage on Tuesday evening.

The 18-year-old became the club’s first ever debutant hat-trick scorer in the club’s record 8-0 win at the Lamex Stadium.

Regular watchers of Jason Euell’s Under-23‎ side would have had an inkling that Stevenson could be involved at Stevenage, when he was omitted from the side that played at Sunderland on Monday evening.

‎He was released by Leyton Orient in the summer, as the East Enders do not have an Under-23 side. Manager, Martin Ling, could only afford to have players who were ready to play in the National League in his squad.

Stevenson – normally deployed as a central defender – has settled in well at The Valley and certainly took his chance with both hands on Tuesday.

Here are the youngster’s thoughts on the game:

‎”It was a great experience for me. I’m really grateful to the gaffer for putting me in and to Jason (Euell) for recommending me to him. It was brilliant.

“Playing wing-back, I thought why not get myself into the box if I could. I wanted to take any chances I could, and two obviously came along and then I hit the crossbar. But it was a brilliant experience and hopefully there will be many more to come.

“It’s good to be part of history. It was a good experience to be in a side scoring lots of goals and defensively we were all switched on. Everyone played superb I thought.

‎”I couldn’t even tell you what was going through my head when that first goal went in. The second one was a great goal – I’m left footed as well! It’s one of my best.

“I’ve got to thank Nicky (Ajose) for giving me the penalty to get my hat-trick. It took him a bit for him to give it to me – so I have to thank him – and I wouldn’t have my hands on the match-ball otherwise.

“I knew where I wanted to place the penalty and I just had to hope that it went in.”

Stevenson’s second goal was struck from the edge of the area with his right foot.

Nicky Ajose was also on a hat-trick, and keen to take the spot-kick that he had won himself. But Darren Pratley relayed instructions from the bench and gave the ball to Stevenson.

The youngster readily admitted the help given to him by his colleagues:

‎”I think it helps you a lot when you are playing with experienced players, talking to you, helping you positionally off the ball. It’s a big help for any young player.

‎”One of the main things I look for is a clean sheet. As a defender you want a clean sheet, it was brilliant as a team and a back five.”

‎”I’ve just to keep working hard, keep doing what I’m doing, keep performing well and try my best every time.

“It’s a great club, I had a chance to come here and I wanted to sign, it’s a great club, all the people here, all the boys are lovely lads. It’s a good club to be at.”

‎Those not fortunate enough to be at the Lamex on Tuesday evening will hope Lee Bowyer plays Stevenson in the game against Swansea Under-21s at The Valley next month.