Derby loanee Jack Stretton got off the mark in style at the weekend with two second-half goals that sealed the deal on an impressive three points.
It’s widely agreed that the 21-year-old forward, who has started the last six games, has grown in stature as he’s also grown into the role, and he received a huge ovation from the fans as he left the pitch towards the end of game in recognition of his efforts.
We caught up with him on Monday morning to talk about his first brace for the club.
“It was a great feeling to score,” he said. “It’s been a long time coming. I’ve started quite a few games on the bounce now and I think performance wise I’ve been good, but I hadn’t been getting the goals.
“Getting two at the weekend was massive for me and hopefully I can carry that on now. I’ve always been a bit like where I seem to struggle to get the first goal, then after that I sort of get into a flow and a few more goals come my way.”
There was an element of luck to his first for the club as a shot from Jordan Gibson came off his shins before spinning over the line.
“It’s just the best feeling when you score,” he told us. “I’ve missed getting that feeling because I haven’t scored for a while.
“When it went over the line I was buzzing. I looked up and the first person I saw was Gibbo. He was walking away and I thought I might have been offside.
“I think he might have been disappointed that he didn’t get the goal, but he spoke to me later and told me that he was buzzing for me. That’s the main thing because we all want each other to do well.
“For the second it was a great pass from him. That’s what he’s in the team for, to get assists and goals, but as soon as it came through to me there was only one thing on my mind.
“I wanted to make sure I hit the back of the net. I looked up and I saw Edmo, but I was thinking to myself that this was my chance. I really wanted to score.
“Usually I like those sorts of chances, I’ve scored quite a few of those for the U23s back at Derby, so when I got to the edge of the box I knew I had to score.
“On a personal level it means a lot to get the goals and as a team it’s so important to get the points. With it being partly through two goals from me it was an even better feeling.
“The fans were amazing all the way through the game. After the first goal, when Callum scored, they were behind us and the noise when I scored was unbelievable.”
Having had that run of starts where he’s more than played his part he confirmed that it was exactly what he’d hoped for when he first agreed to come up to Cumbria.
“It was the main reason I came here for, so it’s massive that I’m doing it,” he commented. “I wanted pitch time under my belt and starts and to be playing regular football.
“I’m getting that now. Hopefully I can stay in the team and keep helping with goals, assists. Good performances and we can see where it gets us.
“I’m happy with how I’m playing and starting games has been huge for my confidence. I hope that’s showing when I’m on the pitch and I just want to keep playing well now.
“There’s a lot of competition in the changing room, even though there are a few injuries at the minute, which is unfortunate. When everyone’s back there’ll be a lot of competition and hopefully o can just keep showing the gaffer that I deserve to be out there.”
The results and league position have combined to create an electric atmosphere, with a real sense of team spirit and togetherness.
“It’s unbelievable, the lads are great,” he said. “They’re a good bunch. Morale is high and that’s showing out on the pitch with the results we’re getting.
“We’re a good team and hopefully that will help us to get to where we want to be come the end of the season.
“It’s just a great place to be. Before I came up here I spoke to the gaffer at Derby a few times and loans were mentioned, so I knew I needed to make sure I picked the right one for me.
“I think I have. I want to perform and keep getting games under my belt, and that’s what’s happening for me at the moment.
“Working with Simmo has been amazing. He’s a good coach and I’ve already learned a lot from him in the few months I’ve been here.
“I think this is a group that can definitely get promotion if we keep playing the way we are. If we stick together in this way we can definitely achieve good things this season.”