Alfie May claims he is not much of a football fan but League 1’s top scorer is dreaming of a third-round trip to Anfield if Charlton overcome Gillingham this afternoon - because it would make his dad happy.
And he also considers a Cup run to be potentially vital for the club’s coffers, with progression worth £67,000 before a potential bumper payday against a Premier League giant.
“The FA Cup is an amazing trophy to play in and it’s important for us to make some money for the club,” May said. “If we can get a big draw, I’d want Anfield away. I’m not a big football lover but my dad’s a big Liverpool fan. That’d be a great trip, wouldn’t it?”
The 30-year-old has been in stunning form for the Addicks, scoring 16 times in all competitions in as many games having initially drawn blanks in his first four appearances.
While May might not be obsessing about the game in his spare time, he possesses an insatiable appetite for scoring. “I just see net,” he said. “I love scoring goals and seeing the ball go in the net. It’s the best feeling ever. I always put pressure on myself to do even better. I just want to keep scoring goals and keep going.”
May has taken the long road to becoming such a prolific force in the EFL, even dropping down to the Southern Counties East League for two seasons between 2014 to ‘16.
After arriving at The Valley in the summer following four seasons with Cheltenham Town, for whom he scored 20 in the third tier last year, expectations were high. However since Michael Appleton stepped in as head coach in early September, May has been given a simple message to perform with freedom.
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That was seen in the first-round replay against neighbours and minnows Cray Valley Paper Mills when he dragged the Addicks past an initially sticky test by scoring two goals before the non-League side tired late on.
“The first couple of games at Charlton I was feeling the pressure,” May added. “I was brought in to score goals and it wasn’t really going my way. Then the new gaffer came in, put me in a free role and said to just run forward. That’s all I do. I score goals.”
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