Rai Simons, the Ilkeston striker, has been inspired by the goalscoring exploits of his former housemate Che Adams and said he is more determined than ever to reach the Football League.

Adams, who partnered Simons up front for Ilkeston’s Academy, lit up Bramall Lane with two goals in two minutes in Sheffield United’s 2-2 draw against Tottenham Hotspur in the Capital One Cup semi-final second leg last week.

Spurs won the tie 3-2 on aggregate thanks to a superb late strike by Christian Eriksen, but it was the almost fairy-tale performance of second-half substitute Adams that captured the imagination.

Adams, who was released by Coventry City at 14, was making his fifth appearance for United since signing for the Sky Bet League One side for an undisclosed fee last November.

His sudden ascent to stardom has come as no surprise to Simons, who said he always believed that his former team-mate was destined for big things.

“I stayed with Che and we played a few games together at the academy level, but he had moved on [to Sheffield United] before I got the chance to play with him in the first team this season,” said Simons, who at 19 is a year older than Adams.

“I’m happy for him and I could tell that he had the potential to get up into the big leagues.

“It just shows that if you can get a good run of games and the right people are watching, you can achieve anything.”

With his first-team opportunities enhanced by the departures of Adams, and Ashley Hunter, who was snapped up by League Two Fleetwood Town last month, Simons looks to have established himself as a first-team regular at Derbyshire side Ilkeston, who play in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier Division, the seventh tier of the English game.

The Bermuda player opened his scoring account to salvage a point for Ilkeston, who are unbeaten in 17 matches, at home to Whitby Town last month and believes he has the ability to follow in the footsteps of Adams and Hunter.

“I’m delighted to finally be getting some games and I’ve had a nice little run in the team,” said Simons, who helped Bermuda win the gold medal at the 2013 NatWest Island Games.

“He [Kevin Wilson, the Ilkeston manager] has always known I’ve had the ability and hopefully I’m showing it now I’ve got the chance.

“It’s always frustrating when you’re not playing and I’ve just had to be at my best for the reserves and under-21s. I had to make sure I was ready for when my chance came along.”

Ilkeston, who forged a partnership with Bermuda Hogges in 2013, are in a strong position to gain promotion to the Vanarama Conference North, sitting in second place in the table. Simons, whose two-year contract expires at the end of the season, said he would be happy to remain at the club for another year, but hopes it will not be long before he fulfils his ambitions of playing at the higher level.

“If I have to stay for another year to get some more playing time, then that’s what I’ll do,” said Simons, who has been named in Bermuda’s provisional squad for next month’s World Cup qualifying first-round two-legged tie against Bahamas.

“The ultimate goal is to get to the Football League and I know scouts have come to watch me, but I’ve tried not to focus on that.

“The main thing is to keep this run going for as long as we can. Promotion is looking like a realistic goal for us this season.”