Charlie Kirk is hopeful that his Boxing Day performance at Chesterfield will present him with another chance against Cambridge United this weekend. The young winger produced one of his finest performances in a Crewe shirt to inspire us to a deserved 2-0 win at the Proact Stadium.
David Artell selected Kirk ahead of George Cooper and his faith in the Academy graduate paid off with Kirk scoring the crucial second goal in the victory. Artell was pleased with his all-round performance, with Kirk showing his reliability in his defending whilst having a major impact in the final third.
Following the 2-0 win at Chesterfield, Kirk told the club’s official website: “It was a massive win for us, especially when you consider where they (Chesterfield) and we are in the league. The win has really lifted the spirits in the dressing room.
“I was pleased that the manager put his faith in me and gave me a start. It is never ideal coming off the bench and playing 15, 20 minutes here and there.
“The gaffer and the staff said I’ve trained well over the last few weeks and that is why I have been given my chance. That has been my reward and I’ve got to keep working hard on the training ground and hopefully this can be a bit of a run for me.
“As a young player it is all about consistency and becoming as consistent as the older ones. The younger lads are all trying and we do our best every time we are given a chance to play.”
Kirk celebrated his 20th birthday on Christmas Eve but admits that his best present over the holiday period was his first senior goal.
“It was great to score my first goal, ‘said Charlie. “I’ve waited a long time for that and when I scored I didn’t really know what to do. I couldn’t hold it in and it was great that all the lads came over to celebrate it with me.
“It is a massive confidence boost to score my first goal and now I have to build on it. I had my birthday presents, then my Christmas presents but my goal was the best present.”