The Newcastle United youngster struck twice as Neil Dewsnip’s Young Lions came from behind to defeat Holland 4-1 at Leigh Sports Village Stadium.
Having netted nine times in last season’s European U17 Championship campaign that ended with glory in Malta, the Geordie striker is open about his hunger for goals.
England 4-1 Netherlands
U18s International Match
7.30pm, Friday 5 September 2014
JD Stadium, Bury FC
“Every forward loves a goal,” Armstrong told TheFA.com.
“There’s no better feeling than seeing the ball in the back of the net. That’s what we are there to do, and for me to do it in my first game for the U18s was fantastic. And to get two was even better.”
In addition to his brace, Armstrong also returned the favour by turning provider for strike partner Josh Sims, and he believes the team spirit within the squad was the key to them coming back from a goal down.
He said: “It’s good to come back, see all the lads and get a few goals. Since winning the championship in Malta, obviously the coaches are different, but we are still gelling well as a team.
“Maybe we were a bit rusty at the start, with it being our first game back together, but after about twenty minutes we dominated and when the goals came, they couldn’t handle us.”
And on his partnership with Sims, the 17-year-old added: “We both worked hard for each other, as did the whole team, and to get an assist for each was great.
“For my first, I just made the run and when Simsy slipped me through, I thought: ‘Why not just hit it?’ as there wasn’t much else on.
“So I just struck it and luckily it went in the back of the net.”
“For my second, Lego [Ryan Ledson] had worked really hard to get the ball back and play me through, I was one-on-one with the defender, and I just cut inside and smashed it in the bottom corner with my right foot.
“It’s always nice to get goals with both feet, and that’s what I’m capable of doing.”
Despite the convincing scoreline, Armstrong says the squad have not been fooled into a false sense of security ahead of Friday night’s rematch at Bury.
“We had to work very hard for it on Wednesday, and on Friday we know Holland will come right back at us,” he said.
“They’ll obviously want even more revenge now than they did after Malta, so we know how tough it is going to be.
“But we’ve prepared well and we know what awaits us – we know what we have to do.”
Tickets are available for England v Holland on Friday at Bury FC. Prices are £3 adults and £1 concessions - call 0871 221 1885 (option 3) for tickets.
