Second-half strikes from Stuart Findlay and Callum Roberts helped United’s Under-23s to a 2-0 win at the Lancashire FA County Ground, extending their unbeaten run to five games in all competitions.
The young Magpies have shipped only two goals in their last four outings, while Woodman himself has not conceded from open play in over 300 minutes of action.
But, having had to withstand a testing opening half against Rovers, the young stopper admitted his latest shutout owed as much to the showing of the United backline as a unit as it did to his own.
“I try to go into every game just trying to do my best and trying to keep my standards high. I felt tonight was one of those days where things come off and you make saves, but I have to give credit to the boys. Curtis (Good) made great blocks, Stuie (Findlay) scored and made blocks, the whole back four – and Jack (Hunter) sitting in front – were all top-drawer,” he told nufc.co.uk.
“People look at the goalkeeper for clean sheets but it’s down to the back four and the guy who sits in front. We’re all delighted with it.
“The first-half wasn’t as good as it could have been, but previously this season we’ve conceded a few goals and gone into the break not in the game. Tonight, we dug in and got to half-time at 0-0. In the second-half, we came out, defended crosses well and managed to score two goals as well.”
Though they remain sixth in the Premier League 2 Division Two on the back of their latest victory, United are now just two points adrift of second-placed Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Peter Beardsley’s side also sit top of their Premier League Cup group ahead of Friday’s trip to Southampton, a competition in which they have yet to lose this season.
After seeing out November with an undefeated record, the youngsters close the curtain on the calendar year in busy fashion, with four of their next five fixtures scheduled to take place away from home.
Woodman, however, believes confidence is flowing among his teammates, and is hungry for the action to keep coming thick and fast in the weeks ahead.
“Since the beginning of the season, I’ve pretty much been playing two games a week, and that’s great for learning and improving,” he said. “At this level, it’s all about playing games.
“The consistency we’ve gained has been good. We’ve made a little run, which is always nice, and the aim among the boys is to try and get a winning mentality – like the first team. We were without Sean (Longstaff) tonight, who has scored a lot of our goals. So, to come away and win 2-0 without our top scorer is a great result. The boys are buzzing.”
