TEEN ACE CHARLIE NETS TOP PRIZE...
SOUTHEND United starlet Charlie Kelman has expressed his delight after winning the Sky Bet League One Goal of the Month competition for January.
On as a late substitute for his debut, the 17-yearold announced himself to the football world by firing home a long-distance cracker from his own half against Plymouth.
It earned him 44 per cent of the public vote and was enough to hold off the challenge of Scunthorpe’s Adam Hammill and Doncaster’s Ali Crawford.
Kelman said: “I’m very pleased. I was up against some quality goals so I was quite worried but I was so happy when I found out I won.
“It’s every kid’s dream, especially scoring a goal like that on my debut and hopefully this is the first of many.
“It might be a once in a career type of goal but coaches and players have seen me do it in youth games.
“I’m the sort of player that if it’s on then I will do it because without risk there is no reward.
“We were defending a free kick minutes before and I said to Coxy (Simon Cox) in the wall the goalkeeper is way off his line.
“When the ball dropped to me it just fell perfect. As a striker you have an instinct and it sat up so perfectly for me. It was an amazing feeling to see it go in.
“I enjoyed it for one day but my mum made sure I didn’t get too carried away!
“I want to show that I’m not just about the goal, but that I can be consistent scoring goals and have a good career.”
Ipswich forward Freddie Sears picked up the Championship honour for his goal against Aston Villa, while Lincoln striker Shay McCartan claimed the League Two prize for his effort against Swindon.