Source: PA
Sears relieved to find scoring touch
Freddie Sears admitted it had been a long wait to finally get on the scoresheet again - but hopes there will be many more crucial goals as he aims to spearhead West Ham's battle for top-flight survival.
The 21-year-old grabbed a first goal since scoring on his debut in March 2008 as the Hammers climbed off the bottom of the Barclays Premier League and out of the relegation zone with a 2-0 win over fellow strugglers Wolves at Upton Park.
Sears had only just been recalled by Irons boss Avram Grant from a loan spell at npower Championship side Scunthorpe, having also spent stints at Crystal Palace and Coventry.
Despite producing a consistent return for the West Ham reserves, Sears could not convert that form into first-team strikes - although the young forward was denied a goal when playing for Palace at Bristol City in August 2009 when his shot came back off the pole at the foot off the net, but was somehow not given by referee Rob Shoebridge. However, England youth international Sears has his focus firmly set on helping his boyhood club stay up.
"It has been a long wait, but is now a weight off my shoulders," said Sears, who coolly slotted home from 12 yards with 10 minutes left. It has been hard at times, when you are looking for goals and the ball is just not going in, so it is great to get that goalscoring feeling and hopefully I can keep it up.
"Coming back here, I did not expect to go straight into the team and play the next three games like I have. It has been good and has given me a lot of confidence. The manager has shown a lot of faith in you and now you just have to go out and keep your position in the team."
