It's not too often a forward is honest enough to pass up the opportunity to claim a goal when it arises, especially when it means there might be a possibility of celebrating a first-ever professional hat-trick.

But given the rapid progress that Sammie Szmodics is currently making, he will have plenty more chances to enjoy such milestone moments during his football career.

Szmodics was sincere enough to acknowledge that Colchester United’s opener in their 3-1 win over Exeter City was an own goal, rather than his own.

But the 22-year-old had certainly played a big part in it; it was that kind of afternoon for the former Stanway School pupil, who was at the centre of everything in the first half against the Grecians.

As a Liverpool fan, Szmodics grew up worshipping Steven Gerrard.

The Colchester forward’s superb first-half performance against Exeter was cut in the same dynamic mould as the England captain’s trademark displays.

At times, Szmodics was simply unplayable and after scoring twice, it was a shame that perhaps his best effort of an eye-catching afternoon clattered the inside of the post and flew across the goal-line, rather than flying into the net.

Nevertheless, the growing array of watching scouts who have been gathering at the Weston Homes Community Stadium will have been suitably impressed by what they saw from the U’s leading scorer.

Colchester head coach John McGreal was understandably delighted with the performance of the forward, who he has coached from under-16 level upwards.

McGreal knows all about his young attackers’s vast potential.

And having played at the top level himself during his playing career, he is well qualified to comment when he suggests that Szmodics can go as far as he wants in the game.

The U’s boss admits it might be difficult for Colchester to keep hold of their talented attacker when the transfer window opens, next month.

It would obviously be a big blow for Colchester to lose Szmodics; his goals and influence on the team have been pivotal over the last few weeks but furthermore, he understands the fabric of his home town club.

But at the very core of the philosophy of the U’s academy system is giving young players the opportunity to progress, both at the U’s and then potentially at a higher level.

Few would begrudge Szmodics that chance, should it arise.