There’s a lot of cool things about soccer, but one of the coolest is when goalkeepers are pulled all the way to the opposite side of the field for a late set piece to give the attacking side a one-man advantage. It’s even cooler when they, very rarely, manage to score an important goal.
That’s exactly what happened to young Tottenham Hotspur keeper Josh Keeley, who is currently on loan at League One side Leyton Orient. Hosting National League side Oldham Athletic in the FA Cup this past Saturday, the Mighty O’s found themselves deeeeeeeeep in extra time down 1-0 and with a last-gasp free kick from the corner of the box. Keeley was pulled, and managed to head in the most improbable of goals to pull his side level with virtually the last play of regular time.
It’s hard to find decent video of the goal, but this video taken from the stands and posted to X is the best I can do. You can still see it if you squint.
The Magic of the Cup, innit? Orient would go on and score a 120th minute winner in extra time to secure progression to the next round of the Cup.
Keeley hasn’t been a regular for Orient this season, but according to FBRef he’s made 11 appearances for the O’s this season, letting in 12 goals to go with 24 saves. Considering Orient are a bad team this year (21st in League One) it’s not surprising he’d be facing a high volume of shots, and when you’re a 21-year-old keeper, any first team experience is good experience.
And now he has a goal to add to his resume. Whatever else happens this season, he’ll always have that, and it rules.
