Four-goal Heardman hits top form

The 22-year-old scored twice either side of half time to help Peter Beardsley’s side see off the Swans in their Premier League Cup tie at Little Benton, with Jack Colback and Callum Roberts also on the scoresheet.

Prior to Wednesday’s clash, Heardman had only scored once this term since returning from a loan spell at Bury.

But now he’s hoping that his four goals will give him a boost as he looks to carry on the kind of form he showed in the resounding victory at United’s Academy.

“I’m buzzing with that. It’s the best feeling in the game to get a goal, so to get so many is an incredible feeling,” Heardman told nufc.co.uk.

“In our last couple of games, I’ve maybe been a bit unlucky. When I go into a game I’m always thinking about getting a goal, as that’s the most important thing for a player in my position. Unfortunately in the last couple of games that hasn’t quite happened, but I’m happy today and hopefully I can carry this into the next few games and keep getting more.

“Once you get one, it helps you get the next one. Your confidence grows, and it’s not on your mind that maybe you haven’t scored for a few games. I’m looking forward to the next game already now to try and carry on this run.”

On the team’s performance, he added: “We were happy to start as quickly as we did because in the last few games we’ve had a couple of bad results. For us to come out the blocks like that was really important, for our morale and confidence ourselves. It was an ideal start, and we just kicked on from there.

“I think a result like this had been coming. We have been creating chances as a team, and maybe just haven’t had the luck here or there on our way. But I think today we showed that we are a quality side, and we have a lot of good players in this team. There’s no reason why we can’t go into the next couple of games now and get a lot of goals between us.”

The former Hartlepool United loanee, who could feature again for the Magpies as they travel to Colchester United for another Group D clash on Monday, picked out his second strike – a well-taken low finish from inside the box – as his pick of the three. “The one where Victor played me in – it was a great little pass over the top. The second goal felt pretty good,” he admitted.

And he was quick to pay tribute to wingers Fernandez and Roberts, who both provided assists for Heardman’s two first half goals.

“It’s great to have them both,” he said. “They’re very pacey, can take on their man one-on-one and create space for me in the box.

“Their delivery was on point today, and I’m really grateful to those guys for helping me get the goals.”