Newsham relieved to get first goal

Rotherham United's twenty-year old striker, Marc Newsham, had failed to score in sixteen league appearances for the club - that was until last weekend, against Gillingham, when he came on as a substitute and scored a late winner.

'I was relieved more than anything,' he told The Advertiser, and grinning carried on, 'I didn't know what to do with myself when it went in.

'I've been around the first team for a couple of years, though I haven't had a lot of chances coming on as substitute here and there.'

Newsham's goal came from a diving header and he says that they had been practicing them in training. He also admits that he's not that tall for a striker and hasn't a lot of pace, 'I just try to work off the big lads shoulders, like Delroy Facey and Chris O'Grady. '

He has already been offered a new contract for next season and says he is delighted he will be working alongside Mark Robins. 'I've been here since I was a nine year old; worked all the way up and got my scholarship and my pro contract followed. I had Mark as my Youth team boss and I really do rate him as a manager. He gives us youngsters a chance, which can only be good for me. My aim at the beginning of the season was to establish myself in the first team but with experienced players like Delroy it's been difficult.

'But, whatever happens, I have scored for the first team and got noticed. That's what I wanted. I just hope the goal is the start of big things for me and I can push on and perhaps stake a claim for next year.

'Hopefully, next season can be my season.'

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