IT HAS been a dramatic couple of weeks for Basingstoke Town youngster George Hallahan.

This time two weeks ago, his was a name that was not really known outside the club. Four goals in four games later and he is much better known.

Hallahan has an excellent goalscoring record playing for the youth team, scoring 25 goals in just 16 games, and the 18-year-old served notice of his prowess in front of goal by finding the net twice in a pre-season practice match.

Town fans got their first look at him last Tuesday, when he showed some nice touches during a cameo appearance in the first-team’s opening pre-season game against AFC Wimbledon.

Four days later, he thrust himself into the limelight, setting up one goal and scoring twice as Town came from two goals down to beat a young Reading side 3-2.

I had a rare Saturday off, but from what I’m told, both of his goals were good ones, with the first an excellent strike from the edge of the box and the second a cool finish.

That performance earned the 18-year-old a starting berth against Fleet on Tuesday. He didn’t manage to get on the scoresheet, though he did hit the post, but he has clearly won over manager Jason Bristow.

Not only has the teenager signed a contract at the club, but his manager has described him as “exciting.”

Having made such a strong start to his senior career, the danger is that we start to expect too much from Hallahan.

He’s got plenty of talent, but, as you might expect from such a young player, he is very raw. At times he is going to make the wrong decision or try to do too much.

It would be a surprise if he was able to force himself into the starting 11 for the start of the season, but he is a terrific option to have on the bench if Town need a goal. It will also be interesting to see how he fares if given an opportunity should other strikers pick up injuries.

Basingstoke are now halfway through their pre-season campaign, so what have we learned so far?

Tactically, it looks like Bristow is moving away from a midfield diamond and towards a 4-3-3 system.

So far, it has worked well.

James Harper or Jamie Brown protect the defence, with two of Louie Soares, who has been excellent so far, Shaun McAuley and Simon Dunn buzzing around in front of them.

Further forward, Liam Enver-Marum seems to be enjoying playing as a lone front-man and is another who has impressed so far. Interestingly, he has not yet played in a forward line alongside the other established strikers, but I’m not sure we should read too much into that just yet.

Playing 4-3-3 gives Town a bit more width in attacking areas. It might take a bit away from Chris Flood, Manny Williams and Lloyd Macklin, all of whom would prefer to play centrally, but all three are more than capable of performing in a slightly wider position.

The next thing we have learned is that new signing Will Salmon seems a lot more comfortable at right-back than he does in the centre of the defence.

That means that Town have plenty of really good options at right-back, but Bristow may want a little more cover in the middle.

Of the trialists, assistant manager Michael Gilkes’ son Harrison, has been the most impressive. He looks like he could be a really useful addition to the squad, while Taylor Watts has shown some promise as well.

All in all, there’s plenty to get excited about as we edge closer to the big kick-off at Ebbsfleet on August 8.