Jack ‘shut eyes and hoped for best’ when scoring first Barnsley goal

JACK Aitchison hopes his first Barnsley goal will lead to many more after admitting ‘I just closed my eyes and hoped for the best’ when scoring a rare header.

The 22-year-old netted in the 2-2 draw at Ipswich Town on Saturday, which was his seventh appearance for the Reds. Aitchison told the Chronicle: “I feel like I have been quite unlucky.

“I have hit the woodwork, had one or two I should have put away.

“I am glad it went in and hopefully I can kick on from there.”

Aitchison, a diminutive attacking midfielder playing up front, has lost every aerial battle this season but was left on his own to head in for 1-1 at Portman Road.

“I can’t remember the last time I headed the ball. I shut my eyes, hoped for the best and luckily it went in. Maybe I scored a header in under 15s.”

There had been question marks over Barnsley’s firepower up front but Aitchison and fellow striker Devante Cole have got off the mark in the last three games.

“It’s still early in the season but we need to step up and score goals. I hold my hands up to that and I am sure the other strikers would too. It’s not for lack of trying. We’re practicing extra after training every day.”

Aitchison is now looking forward to Saturday’s derby at Sheffield Wednesday.

He said: “It should be good. It’s another big crowd in a good stadium.

“They have made a good start like Ipswich. But we got good point there and hopefully we can do well again.”