Newcastle goal ‘a dream come true’ for Cook.

Andy Cook, a Bradford City striker, says scoring at his hometown club Newcastle United left him dumbfounded.

The 34-year-old just returned from an ACL injury and came off the bench to score his team’s consolation goal in a 4-1 defeat to the Carabao Cup winners.

Cook, from Bishop Auckland in County Durham, is a lifetime Magpies fan who has never played at St James’ Park. “This is what dreams are made of. “Everyone is aware of my situation with my injury and return to play,” he told BBC Radio Leeds.

“Just getting on the pitch tonight was a dream come true, and scoring a goal has left me speechless.” “I was excited to come on. I am yearning for minutes, but the squad is doing well, so I must wait.

“My family and friends were all here tonight, including some of my buddies from the home end. It’s an incredible privilege to play here.

The Bantams striker blasted home a stray ball off the underside of the crossbar from 18 yards to cut the Premier League side’s lead to 3-1, but Will Osula’s second restored the Magpies’ three-goal advantage late on.

Cook, who is now the club’s fourth-highest goalscorer with 88, described the strike as a blur. “The ball hit us and I saw some of their players claiming for handball but it just happened so fast,” he told me.

“It just dropped perfectly and I thought ‘hit it’ and when it hit the bar I thought is it going to go in and I was over the moon when it did.” I was excited to score.

“To score at St James’ Park is unbelievable.” Graham Alexander’s side has made an excellent start to the League One season after being promoted from League Two last season.

The West Yorkshire club is top of the division after nine games, and Cook, who admitted he “screamed his house down” when Bradford was drawn against Eddie Howe’s side, feels they can gain confidence from their performance against a Champions League team.

“Everyone knows what Newcastle are about they are at the top end of the Premier League and I thought we stood our ground well,” explained the player.

“Obviously they are sharp going forward and they showed that but we can hold our heads high and be proud.”

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