A video is going viral, and rather impressively, a National League keeper scores on the final day of the season while playing as a striker.
Shot stopper Rhys Lovett turned into a goalscorer for Maidenhead United on the final day of the National League campaign.
Lovett was brought off the bench to replace Josh Kelly late on against Boreham Wood, though he wasn’t in his usual position.
Instead, just like David James many years ago for Manchester City, Lovett was allowed to play as a striker for the final moments, and helped his side extend their lead.
He made the most of it, tapping home in stoppage time to seal a 4-1 win for the Magpies.
He was quick to react on social media too with Lovett sending a message moments after the final whistle had blown.
Along with some laughing emojis, he wrote: “Nice way to end season with my first senior goal.”
Lovett only joined his current club in March having previously had spells at Cheltenham Town and Gloucester City. And fans couldn’t believe his scoring antics.
As the sub goalkeeper, you dont expect to end up scoring with the last kick of the season. Well tell that to @MUFCYorkRoad & @rlovett22_
Safe to say from Bench to every player, they liked that one….. pic.twitter.com/1lePfue7n9— fcvideo (@fc_video) May 29, 2021
Reece Smith had given Maidenhead the lead in the 11th minute at Boreham Wood with a low shot into the bottom corner.
The home side then came close to an equaliser when Corey Whitely’s effort was cleared off the line, but Kelly doubled Maidenhead’s lead in first-half stoppage time after being played through by Josh Coley.
Boreham Wood forward Tyrone Marsh reduced the deficit early in the second half, but Danilo Orsi-Dadomo scored a third for the visitors in the 54th minute after Kelly’s effort was saved.
“I took a chance and scored, buzzing.” 😅
Hear from @reece_smith2002 and @rlovett22_. #WeAreMaidenhead #BORvMAI pic.twitter.com/PKmkIiFNnC
— Maidenhead United (@MUFCYorkRoad) May 29, 2021
Fans, and some of those associated with Maidenhead, reacted as the National League keeper scores on the final day of the season while playing as a striker…
@JakePetrolhead: Maidenhead really did sub on their back up GK as an outfielder, and he scored. Non-League football continues to be the greatest form of football anywhere on earth.
@SteadmanAaron: Surely not 😂
@ThrenodyBass: Enjoyed the 5-live interview almost as much as I enjoyed the goal. I hope you stay with us for next season. Impressed with your performances (and long kicks!)
@GlosCityFans: Get him back for next season and the strike partnership is sorted. @matt_mcclure29 x @rlovett22_ 👀
@LiamVaughan01: What a guy! 🤩🤩 never celebrated so much 😂🙌🏻🙌🏻
@WHUFCallum_: Mental hahaha
@ForeverAYellow: No way lol don’t you just love non league football ay, something to tell the grand-kids
@DanJepsonV43: Unreal wtf hahahaha
@alex_avenell: Love that @rlovett22_ jack of all trades 😂⚽️
@DTommo91: Wait what? You brought your sub keeper on as an outfield player and he scored?!
@Connor_4400: Lmaooo
@DaveCohen_: Rhys Lovett the bagsman 😂
@k_y8t: This is incredible 🤣
@AndyLew10: 😂😂😂😂 what an earth are you doing up there??! @rlovett22_
@_CallumPal96: Gary Johnson missed a trick here. If he’d stuck Rhys Lovett up top instead of Tozer, we’d have won the league years ago
@JR_CTFC: Looks like we played Rhys Lovett in the wrong position, the bloke is a striker after all
@NonLgeKeeper: Oh hello!! A goalkeeper scoring.
@Aaronrutter9: Inspired by Allison, I take it?
@Ryan_Belchamber: I ABSOLUTELY LOVETT
@LockySDA: Couldn’t make that up! Unbelievable
@alicwkd: Somewhere, Stuart Pearce is nodding in approval.
@NTT20Pod: Maidenhead United brought on their keeper to play up front and he scored. Could we just scrap the National League Play-Offs and give them the last League Two spot as a recognition for excellent behaviour?
@Beasleyy03: Go on Rhys 🤣🤣🤣
@mirkobolesan: Loads of ex-league teams struggling to get out of the dungeon while @MUFCYorkRoad having great fun in there, living their best life, bringing on their sub keeper at centre-forward to get a goal.
@Charliestant0n: @rlovett22_ love it you 😂😂🙏🏼
@tlmfootball: Pulled off what David James and Stuart Pearce couldn’t
@TaylorBAFC: Mental 🤣
Please everyone watch @Rhyslovett01 celebrate his 90th min goal with a knee slide!
P.S he’s a GK! 😂😂😂
What a guy! Well done pal 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾 https://t.co/ZbM7rpkwUw pic.twitter.com/jYBYym5WYo— James Mulley (@jmullz10) May 29, 2021
How it started v How it ended@MUFCYorkRoad @rlovett22_ pic.twitter.com/4fQkHqygRC
— Darren Woolley (@DarrenWoolley2) May 29, 2021
As a video of a National League keeper scores on the final day of the season while playing as striker goes viral, does it remind you of another time something similar happened? Let us know via our socials!
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