Hartlepool United attacker "over the moon" after scoring emotional match-winner as Pools stun National League leaders Rochdale
Hartlepool United attacker Luke Charman admitted he was "over the moon" after scoring what turned out to be the winning goal as Pools stunned National League leaders Rochdale 2-1 on Tuesday night.
It was a hugely emotional moment for Charman, who gave Pools a two-goal lead when he scored after 29 minutes on the one-year anniversary of the tragic passing of his best friend and fellow footballer Michael Newberry.
Newberry, who came through the ranks at Newcastle alongside Charman, died on December 30, 2025, his 27th birthday and three days after he had turned out for Cliftonville against Crusaders in the North Belfast Derby.
In the wake of the tragic incident, Charman took time away from football before returning to score against Woking in January, looking to the heavens as he celebrated.
Tuesday's goal was equally emotional, with Charman producing a performance that would no doubt have made his lifelong friend extremely proud.
Indeed, amidst a whole host of impressive displays - the much-maligned Jay Benn produced surely his best performance in a Pools shirt, while Reiss McNally was outstanding on his return to the side - Charman was the pick of the bunch as he ran one of his former sides ragged.
Having gone into the game without a win in any of their last four matches, Pools got the better of a Dale side who were on a run of seven successive victories and will be hoping to use the statement success as a springboard from which to launch their assault on their National League play-off places.
To give themselves a real chance, Pools will be hoping to keep Charman, who was starting his first game since October 25 after recovering from bone bruising on his foot, fit and firing as Nicky Featherstone's side prepare to make the long trip to Woking this weekend.
"Our objective was to come here and win, we thought we could get three points," Charman told The Red Radio.
"Maybe it was a little bit more difficult in the last 15 minutes than it should have been, but Rochdale are top of the league for a reason.
"We've come here and for the majority of the game I think we've been the better side, so I think we deserved to get the three points.
"Today's a bit of a difficult one for me personally, I spoke to the lads before the game about what this day meant to me.
"They really dug in for me, I'm really appreciative of all the lads, the coaching staff and everybody around me that's helped me get to this point.
"I'm over the moon to get a goal for my mate Michael, I couldn't be happier right now."