Charman out to prove his worth

The 20-year-old moved into double figures for the season with a calm low finish to opening the scoring at Whitley Park, before making it two by heading in Victor Fernandez’s cross.

Mo Sangare’s second half strike rounded off a convincing win for United, who ensured their qualification for the last 16 of the Premier League Cup with the victory.

And Charman said he’s been pleased with his return so far this term, having made himself a key part of the second string’s promising side this campaign.

“Last season it was hit and miss whether I was going to be the starting striker, but this season I’ve started most games when I’ve been fit,” he told nufc.co.uk. “There are little responsibilities, like I thought to myself ‘I need to prove myself and step my game up’, so I’m happy with how I’ve done this season.

“It lets you sort of relax into it. You can’t lay off in training, but you can relax, play your game and enjoy it again instead of worrying every week whether you’re going to play.”

Charman, who scored both his goals against the U’s inside the opening ten minutes, added: “When you get your first chance and you put it away it settles you down, and you don’t have to worry. It settles you down. If you get a few chances and you don’t put them away, it starts to get on top of you. But if you put your first one away, it relaxes you for the rest of the game.

“I always think going into games that I’m going to get chances, and I’m quite confident in myself that I’m going to score them. But it’s just a bit of a relief to get a few goals again, and get back on the scoresheet.

“After the first 25 minutes, we were completely dominant. I think we got a bit sloppy at the end, tried to force more goals and gave them a few chances, but I don’t think we were ever worried we weren’t going to get the win.”

Monday’s result means the Magpies are still fighting for silverware in three cup competitions – the Premier League Cup, Northumberland Senior Cup and the Premier League International Cup.

And Charman believes his team, who have struggled in the league, still have a good opportunity to make the season a memorable one.

“We’re still in three cups now – we’re in the final of the Senior Cup, we’re playing Sunderland (in the Premier League International Cup) in a few weeks and we’re through the groups in this (the Premier League Cup), so it’s going well in the cups. Hopefully we can do well in all three.

“The league hasn’t gone the best this season, but in the cups we’ve done really well. I think we need to put our focus into the cups now and make sure all the squad members are as fit as they can be and everyone’s pushing each other.”

For the youngster himself, there is a feeling that there is still more to come as he goes in search of more goals when Newcastle welcome Aston Villa to St. James’ Park on Friday night (7pm kick-off).

“The past few year, I’ve always known I could get there but it’s just getting the consistency,” he said. “It’s never really been there – it has been for maybe one game, but then not for four or five games. It’s just about trying to do that every day in training – to be the best player in training every single day, and then it gets to a game and you’re comfortable.

“I think I’ve got way more to get better at – maybe two months ago, I’m much better now than I was then, and then I was much better than I was at the beginning of the season. It’s just about scoring goals, keeping that confidence and helping us keep winning.”