Lucky Luke Armstrong scored his second fortunate goal within a week when he claimed the winner at Hednesford, but he revealed that it’s nothing out of the ordinary for the young Blyth Spartans striker.
Armstrong quietly celebrated his 81st minute goal – as the ball bounced in off him, following Calum Flanagan’s attempt at a challenge – just seven days after the 20-year-old diverted Nathan Buddle’s header in off the back of his leg to give Blyth an opportune opener in their 3-0 win over Mickleover Sports.
While many forwards would be happy with one serendipitous goal, nevermind two, Armstrong admits that he has always profited from good luck in front of goal.
He explained: “I kind of knew about it when it happened. He obviously came sliding in, I felt it hit off my leg and – the next thing I know – it’s in the back of the net.
“It’s a bit of strange one, but they all count.
“I think I’ve been very lucky with the two goals I’ve scored recently, but it’s just about getting in the right position. Sometimes, it goes in off your knee or hits of your shin.
“I’ve always scored lucky goals and it’s good, finally, that I’m able to score them for Blyth.”
It wasn’t just Armstrong’s luck that was in at Hednesford – as Sean Reid scored an unstoppable long-range strike, before being substituted off so top scorer Daniel Maguire could make a long-awaited return from injury. With all three of them itching to start and only two places available, the youngster knows he has a battle on his hands to continue his run in the team.
Armstrong added: “It’ll be tough and I’ll have to keep playing well to keep my shirt, if I’m selected. Reidy’s playing well and Nipa’s back as well now, so he’ll be looking to get in once he’s fully fit.
“I’ve really enjoyed playing a lot more games than I was. It’s tough to be playing two games a week, but I’d much rather be out on the pitch than sitting watching.
“So, I’m going to have to keep playing well and scoring goals or I’ll end up losing my place.”
When previous manager Tom Wade left Spartans, not many at Croft Park would have predicted another father-son combination at the club. Armstrong admits that dad Alun’s arrival has put more pressure on him to do well, but he revealed that it was nothing to do with trying to win the fans over on merit.
Armstrong explained: “There is a bit of added pressure – as, normally, if you don’t have a good game then you can just go home and think about it on your own. When I go home now, all we talk about is Blyth and how the game went.
“That’s where the extra pressure comes in – as it’s not just for my sake now, but it’s for my dad and my family’s sake too, as well as keeping my dad in a job. That’s why I need to keep performing well.
“As I say, there’s a lot bit more pressure on me. That’s football though and I enjoy the pressure really – as that’s what you have to do if you want to be the best.”
Following a run that has seen Blyth claim seven points from their last three games, the club will look to continue their recent good form against Ilkeston and Armstrong is predicting another win for Spartans – as long as they match the performances produced in their last two wins.
He said: “If we play like we did against Hednesford, then I definitely think we’ll win on Tuesday. We just have to maintain the performances that we’ve produced in recent games and I fully back the lads to do well against Ilkeston.”
However, when asked if he fancied his chances of a start on Tuesday, Armstrong replied: “I honestly don’t know. Obviously, I got a goal on Saturday and I’d like to be starting, but – with Nipa coming back – we’ll just see what happens.”