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Airey Glad To Get Off The Mark
Written by Newcastle Utd
Phil Airey opened his account for the season against Ashington, and now hopes to score plenty more goals
By Dan King - Newcastle United Communications Officer
Phil Airey finally bagged his first goal of the pre-season campaign against Ashington, and vowed to score plenty more between now and May.
Last season's Barclays Premier Reserve League North top scorer earned a first-team debut at Stevenage in the FA Cup on the back of his 2010/11 exploits in front of goal.
But he's found himself playing at right-back and on the wing at times for the Reserves this summer, as well as suffering some downright bad luck in front of goal when he has been played in his favoured position.
At Spennymoor last Saturday, he was thwarted time and time again by goalkeeper Robert Dean and against Ashington Karl Dryden denied him early on.
But the Colliers custodian could not keep out his penalty, which he won himself after he was fouled by Andy Dugdale, and Airey was sharp and dangerous throughout the 90 minutes as Newcastle won 2-1.
Speaking to nufc.co.uk afterwards, he said: "I was very pleased. We worked hard as a team, got around the pitch a bit more and I thought we did well. And I'm glad I scored, eventually!
"It was very nice to play back up-front. I played right-back in Holland, and right-wing, so it was good to be playing back up-front.
"I thought it might be one of those days again. I had chances against Spennymoor and couldn't take them, and the keeper pulled off a good save tonight, but eventually I got the penalty and scored - so that's the drought over!
"Hopefully I can try and bang as many goals in as I can next year before possibly going out on loan, then see what happens and come back strong."