FLYING Philip Billing admitted it felt “nice” to find the net back on his old stomping ground at Huddersfield and added: “I thought I was going to score a few more.”

The all-action midfielder continued his impressive goalscoring run in a more advanced role, having headed in the opener during Cherries’ 2-1 victory at John Smith’s Stadium.

The 24-year-old joined the youth ranks of the Terriers in 2013, coming through the system to feature 91 times for the first team, helping them to promotion and two seasons in the Premier League before arriving at Cherries for £15million in July 2019.

During his time in west Yorkshire, Billing found the net six times at senior level across his six-year spell – he already has seven goals for Cherries this season.

Asked about his latest strike coming where he previously plied his trade, the Copenhagen-born star told the Daily Echo: “It was nice. I had this feeling I was going to score. I thought I was going to score a few more.

“But, you know, I will take the one goal and the most important thing is we won the game. If I can contribute with goals, then happy days.

“For me it’s just about getting in the play-offs, securing that spot and then we take it from there.”

Quizzed on celebrating the strike, he added: “I was going to celebrate.

“I didn’t really think to be fair. I just tried to do my best to get it on target and then it went in and of course, it’s nice to score against your old team.”

Victory moved Cherries to fifth in the Championship table, five points clear of seventh-placed Reading in their quest to land a play-off spot.

Assessing the contest as a whole, Billing added: “It was a tough game. We knew it was going to be tough coming here - they are not a bad team.

“They might not be in the best position in the table but that doesn’t matter, every game in the Championship is tough and I think you could see that.

“We had to work very hard to secure the three points and I think we did that all over the pitch. Everyone was fighting.

“We conceded a silly goal, a goal which shouldn’t happen but as long as we can see it out and get the three points, that’s all that matters.”

A lot has been made of Billing’s role higher up the pitch under boss Jonathan Woodgate, having been utilised as a number 10 since the head coach’s arrival in February.

And Cherries star was pleased to break the shackles of being “restricted” having previously featured in central midfield.

“It’s the perfect role for me,” said Billing. “I’ve always felt like I’ve had a lot more ability going further up the pitch.

“I feel like when I’ve played in centre-mid I’ve been restricted to play my natural game.

“Right now, I’m playing without thinking too much. I’m just enjoying my football, taking each game as it comes and hopefully that can just continue.”