Millwall starlet Charlie Penny has hailed the influence of Scott McGleish on his blossoming loan spell at Wealdstone, writes Tyrone Callender-Edwards.

Penny was named man of the match in Monday night's 2-0 win over Billericay after winning the penalty which set the Stones en-route to the three points.

Veteran McGleish limped out of the action with a popped calf - an injury likely to keep him out for the rest of the season.

However, 18-year-old Penny, who will now have to fill the veterans' shoes will not forget the ex-Wycombe striker's influence on his first steps in men's football.

“He McGleish) been really good to be fair,” Penny said of the former Chairboy.

“I’m a young player still learning, so he has been showing me where to be when he’s on the ball and just giving me encouragement really.

“Seeing as I’m not the biggest central striker, I have to rely on my movement and running off the ball and pace and he has helped me with that.2

The Millwall academy graduate has already spent loan spells in the Ryman Premier League this season at Lewes, scoring three goals in eight appearances.

And has drawn comparisons between the need for points then and the need for points now at Wealdstone, who are on course for promotion to the Conference South.

The centre forward revealed this is the first time since U10 and U11s Sunday League football that he has played in circumstances where points actually matter.

The youngster who penned his first professional contract – a one-year deal – with the Lions last summer, is extremely happy with the temporary move as he is gaining great experience for what he hopes will be a long career in the game.

He added: “I’m pleased with it to be fair, I like to get minutes under my belt. In U21s you are not playing regularly, you are playing like once every two weeks so coming here and playing getting experience is good.

“If you do make it, you are going to be playing in leagues winning titles or battling to stay up so this is good experience to get under your belt. This is groundwork for many years to come potentially.”