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Sterry's Delight At First Senior Start
Written by Newcastle Utd
Jamie Sterry said he was delighted his hard work had paid off after he made his full Newcastle United debut on Tuesday
By Tom Easterby - Newcastle United Club Reporter
Full back Jamie Sterry said he was delighted his hard work had begun to pay off after he made his full Newcastle United debut in the 2-0 EFL Cup win over Cheltenham Town on Tuesday night.
The 20-year-old started the victory over the Robins, and went on to play the full 90 minutes in front of a crowd of over 21,000 at St. James' Park as the Magpies booked their place in the third round.
And afterwards, Sterry - who made his first competitive United appearance as a substitute in the 5-1 Premier League win over Tottenham Hotspur on the final day of last season - expressed his delight at having finally earned his first start for his boyhood club.
"I'm absolutely delighted to make my full debut. When we got into the changing room, we got the team so I found out then, just before the game," he told nufc.co.uk.
"I was very happy to be starting. I've been working hard in training, and it's my first 90 minutes in I don't know how long, so I was just very happy to play. The fans were great as always, and I was just really happy.
"I thought I did all right. I gave the ball away a few times and I maybe could have bombed on a little bit more, but I think I just need to be playing more games, keeping my fitness up and be up and down the right as I normally am.
"I'm always focused to play and I'm ready before the game. I've been on the bench a couple of times and missed out a couple of times, but you've always just got to be ready and keep working hard in training.
"I always want to play, as everyone does in the team, and we've got a big squad at the moment, so I'll keep working hard and pushing on."
Ayoze Perez's double, one goal either side of half time, sent Rafa Benitez's men through in their first cup outing of the campaign.
Sterry said it was a case of job done as his team dispatched Gary Johnson's League Two side - and has urged United to remain "focused" in order to maintain their fine recent form when Brighton come to town for a Championship clash on Saturday.
"We did well and we did what we needed to do," he said. "These games are always quite tough, as it's a cup game and they're going to be at you straight away trying to get the ball. They went five at the back and kept it dead compact, so it was pretty hard.
"We just needed the win, because you don't want to be knocked out straight away. I thought the lads did really well, and we worked hard.
"(The first goal) settled us down, because it was tough to try and get through them, but it was a very good finish by Ayo. It helped the team settle down and keep playing, because they could have just kept backing off and could have taken it to extra time.
"We need to keep it going now, and need to be focused and not get carry away, keep working hard and concentrating all the time."