YORK City supporters will feel as if they are witnessing a new starlet amongst their frontline- and Shaq Forde says it feels like “the best feeling ever”.

Manager David Webb added 18-year-old forward Forde to his ranks from Sky Bet Championship side Watford just under two weeks ago, and the young striker has notched up four goals in his first two games for the Minstermen.

Three of Forde’s four came in the form of his sensational hattrick on Saturday against Maidstone United, as City claimed a much-needed 4-1 victory in the Vanarama National League.

“I feel amazing. Obviously to make my home debut in front of this crowd I just wanted to give them something.” Forde enthused.

“They’ve had a tough start to the season, so I wanted to give them something to cheer about. So to score a hattrick on my home debut it is just the best feeling ever!”

“Scoring in front of a big crowd, two weeks in a row, it is just a different feeling to scoring in front of not many fans at academy games. It’s an amazing feeling to score in front of a crowd, so if I can keep doing it it will be an amazing season.”

Forde’s scintillating hattrick makes him York’s youngest ever player to score a hattrick, taking over from City stalwart Marco Gabbiadini: “Oh, wow! It’s crazy, hopefully I can continue to score more goals and hopefully help us move up the league. (The last time Forde scored a hattrick) It was for Watford in an academy game. That’s the last time I scored a hattrick, probably about a year or two ago.”

“(His favourite goal scored) I’d probably say the second one! I wasn’t going to shoot to be fair, but I’ve looked for others and I’ve seen Lenny (Lenell John-Lewis) in the box with two or three players around him, so I thought you know what, I might as well hit it on target. And what I’ve learned at Watford is that as long as you hit it high at your near post you have a good chance of scoring it, so I did! And got a goal.

“It was a great feeling honestly, I’ve come here just to help out the boys in getting as high as possible but I have always got to appreciate the fans, so whenever I can show a bit of love and respect back I will do it.

“After coming on at Gateshead and getting a last-minute equaliser I was only coming into this game with confidence. I spoke to the manager and he just said I needed to keep working hard and the rest will come for you. As long as I am playing and helping the team to score goals, I’m happy.”

There would be concern that could’ve changed the outcome in the first half, as Forde appeared to require treatment with fears of the striker adding to York’s long-standing injury list.

“I’m all fine! I just got a little stitch in my abdomen but it’s alright, I just felt a little thing.” Confirmed Forde.  

“I can’t wait for Saturday, hopefully we can get some more Tuesday and Saturday games, I’m just looking forward to every game. I’m just hoping to make my mark and help the team.

“I felt like I fitted in seemingly from the start, we’ve got a great group of lads and they all just welcomed me with open arms and I just fitted straight in. There are no problems with anyone and it has been a great first two weeks, so I can’t complain!”