Video: Goalkeeper Sam Ashton scores FC United wonder goal

 Source: MEN

 Tony Glennon

 January 17, 2011

 FC United keeper Sam Ashton showed his strikers how to do it by bagging the opening goal in their 4-0 Evo-Stik Premier romp at rock-bottom Retford.

The Rebels’ popular No1 took just three minutes to get on the scoresheet when his huge, wind-assisted clearance sailed over the head of opposing goalie Luke Herriott and into the net.

FC went on to complete a routine victory with further goals from Jerome Wright, Matty Wolfenden and Jake Cottrell.

But all talk after the game was about Ashton’s moment of magic, with the 24-year-old keeper cheekily insisting he’d intended to shoot.

Ashton, who once played up front in a cameo for Bolton, said: “I told the lads I only need one shot – I know where the net is.

“It was really windy, Scott McManus passed the ball back to me and I just wanted to get something on it because the pitch was awful.

“I made good contact and then thought “that’s going in” as the ball went over their keeper and rolled in the bottom corner.

“No-one can believe it. The lads are saying it was a fluke, but it wasn’t – I meant it!”

There was no such delight for Ashton United as their slide towards the drop-zone continued with a 6-3 home defeat to fellow strugglers Frickley.

The Hurst Cross Robins contributed to their own downfall with own-goals by Ben Smith and Ian Bennett plus the dismissal of skipper Craig Robinson.

A late Alastair Brown penalty secured Radcliffe a surprise 2-1 Evo-Stik North victory over neighbours Salford City.

Curzon Ashton lost further ground in the title race as they were held 1-1 at Witton Albion, while Mossley’s promotion battle with Warrington also finished all-square at 1-1.