Stevenage boss Graham Westley says that Ben Kennedy has the potential to follow in the footsteps of George Boyd if he works hard.
The second year apprentice scored twice in his first start for Boro during a 3-1 win over Hartlepool United on Saturday.
Kennedy had previously been utilised a substitute against Oxford and Mansfield.
And Westley, who managed Boyd early in his career, believes that Kennedy can also reach to upper echelons of the game with the right application over a period of time.
“I’ve seen enough players over the years come in and make their debuts and make the impact,” Westley said.
“I know full well it’s not what you do when you get your first chance. Whether it goes well or badly it’s what you do in the next 12 months, in the next 24 months, the next three or five years.”
“George Boyd is probably the most exciting talent I’ve had under my wings. George was always going to go all the way but in the early days he showed promise and it was him building on that promise that made the difference and turned him into Premier League player.”
“Ben like many others that have gone before him can either capitalise on the chances he’s got or throw it away, and I’m sure he’ll work very, very hard and look to build on what he’s doing and he had a solid second start [against Hartlepool].”
Westley continued: “He’s earned the right to play by some good performances. He caught my eye when the youth team played in FA Youth Cup. He did very well in that 10 role playing behind the front.”
“I said to him [against Hartlepool] I wanted him playing up top. I wanted him playing with Beardo [Chris Beardsley].”
“They played together in a training ground game and he got himself a hat-trick a couple of weeks ago. Those two away from home when you’re putting the ball in areas and chasing lost causes are a good pair to have as they’re willing to go and earn something.”
“He earned plenty in terms of how he played the game and he took his goals really well.”
