THE most spectacular long distance goal I have ever seen live came in a crucial West London derby…
CHELSEA 0-2 QUEENS PARK RANGERS
- Wednesday 29th January 1986, Milk (League) Cup Quarter Final Replay
A 55 yard strike Michael Robinson registered at Stamford Bridge is indelibly etched as one of the most dramatic Queens Park Rangers moments of all-time.
This replay was necessary following a 1-1 draw at Loftus Road seven days before. It seemed another stalemate was taking place on Chelsea’s muddy pitch with the scores level at 0-0 after 90 minutes. So extra-time was necessary.
Then in the 109th minute, Robbie James took a flighted corner on the left hand side for Rangers. Towering centre-back Alan McDonald leapt like a salmon at the near post to powerfully head into the roof of the net to put the R’s 1-0 ahead.
It was tight and tense after that until the very last seconds. All of a sudden, home keeper Eddie Niedzwiecki attempted to start one final desperate attack by dribbling the ball 20 yards outside his penalty area. However, QPR striker Gary Bannister nipped in to close him down and make a heavy challenge.
The late Michael Robinson subsequently said: “The ball ran loose to me on the halfway line. Under normal circumstances, I would have tried to control it so that I could advance forward.
“However I was so tired with cramp that I decided I would just whack the ball as far downfield as I could…and it flew past Niedzwiecki into the net!
“Without being arrogant, I could say it was meant as a shot on goal. Then again, I used to have trouble in making a five yard pass with any degree of accuracy. Therefore I didn’t expect to hit the target.
“Skill was never my particular speciality. But for once in my life I kicked a ball straight! It sealed a famous 2-0 win and was my favourite memory from my time with Queens Park Rangers.”
Anyway I decided to ask my social media followers for their own recollections of long distance goals.
And I received some wonderful replies concerning fixtures which would have attracted interesting football betting odds in the live betting stakes…
John Wilberforce @JohnWilberforc1
I was at a game in Estonia, about 15 miles East of Tallinn three years ago. Hacked clearance from edge of box, flew into the net at the far end.
Other thing I remember of the match was away fans sharing cream cakes with the home fans before the game.
Inter Alty FC! @Inter_Alty1977
Boxing Day 26/12/1998, Runcorn 0-3 Altrincham, Northern Prem Lge. Goalkeeper Stuart Coburn scored a free-kick from within own half which was aided by wind & bounce over Runcorn keeper.
Stuart also saved a penalty in same game! The win took Alty top of table & they won the league that season.
KDK Sports Photography @KDKSportsPhotos
A 50 yard shot by Tom Broadbent for South Shields. Pretty surreal watching it.
Ball hardly seemed to be moving, but it was so quick that I didn’t have time to move the camera up to my eye and snap it. I have seen a couple from a longer distance, but this was the best by far.
Russell Cox @RussWWFC
28/09/91: Colchester United goalkeeper Scott Barrett scores a last-minute goal from a drop kick to see his side win 2-1.
May 92: Colchester win the GM Vauxhall Conference title on goal difference.
Paul Jeater @EssexWomble
I was at Selhurst Park when Beckham scored that goal v Wimbledon.
However it was equalled although probably not available on film when AFC Wimbledon player Danny Oakins scored from inside his own half in the London Senior Cup from memory v Woodford Town.
Kieren Bushnell @kbushnell1975
Definitely legendary Witney Town keeper Kevin Alder who dropped kicked from one end to other wind assisted v Forest Green Rovers, although the year escapes me.
Matthew Shooman @MattShooman
Sion Edwards for Bangor City in a cup game against Caernarfon Town from the centre circle.
Andy #1 GK @andyhashtag1gk
Paul Simpson - Wolves vs Swindon, 97/98 at Molineux, scored from just inside his own half. Had to Google it to find the game, was a pretty tasty one!
Micky Bananas Kane @Bananas_WFC
70 odd yarder by Scott Davies for Wealdstone v Brockenhurst in the FA Cup in 2013.
Andrew Mullen @Cowden81
I once saw Raith Rovers keeper Tommy Walker score from a kick out against
Cowdenbeath in a Fife Cup tie in October 1980. Don't know the exact distance but he was in his 18 yard box.
SnookyOokums @SPANGLE44
26/10/24 Holmer Green v PFC Victoria. The PFCV keeper decides to go walkabout which took him and the ball over the halfway line.
He then booted the ball upfield for a HG goal kick which was quickly taken by the HG keeper to our young CB who, whilst spotting the nomadic keeper strolling back, shot from about 70 yards into the empty net. The aforementioned CB went in to score a hat-trick.
Matt Crivelli @MattCrivelli
I saw goalkeeper David Fry score from a goal kick in our (Yeovil Town’s) 7-2 win at home to Slough in 1991. It was ridiculously windy and he had already had one effort go over the bar before that!
STEVEN BULLARD @StevenBushboy
Harrow Borough’s keeper scored from his own area against Cray Wanderers a good few years ago as I recall.
karsh davey @rubbatiti
Shane Cooper Clarke from the halfway line for Bracknell against Thatcham before he became a Thatcham legend. Thatcham won though...6-2 if memory serves me well.
RJH @richyhardy
Olly Lee v Cambridge for Luton in 2017. From deep in his own half and incredibly a different postcode from the goal he was shooting towards.
Gwladysstreet @comeonyourrrrrs
Alonso against Luton from his own half for Liverpool.
BT QC @Benjalamin
Begovic in goal for Stoke vs Southampton. Kick off, ball passed back to him and he hoofed it. Next thing all the Stoke players running up to him to celebrate.
Brin Jones @CliffordBucks
Ben Harris for Slough Town at Eastbourne Borough a few years ago. He was at halfway-ish and he shot towards us behind the goal. The ball just got bigger and bigger and WHOOOOAAAAAA.
Phil Palmer @PhilRiverman10
Mitch Walker goalkeeper from about 70 yards from a free-kick in this year’s FA Cup for Dover. Went over everyone, bounced over the keeper and in off the underside of the bar.
Antony Ince @inceywinceys
Probably Rooney halfway line against the Hammers at Upton Park, got lauded as a Worldie.
*Credit for the main photo belongs to Tony Incenzo*
