The power of a goal

The power of a goal

There really is no way to describe it. Some say it’s better than drugs, while others say it’s better than sex. Scoring a goal in 11 a-side football is an amazing high. It’s as if you combined the healthy effects of all the drugs in the world and put them into one single magical moment. Whether it’s a spectacular overhead kick, a 30 yard belter, penalty, free kick or simple tap in the feeling is simply amazing.

My moment of magic came last Saturday the 8th of August as I made my squad debut for the newly formed Swieqi United FC. Representing your hometown is all about pride, and coming on as a substitute against Mtarfa quite simply made my day. Little did I know that within 10 minutes of my introduction I would produce the game’s turning point. An extremely decent ball was threaded to me from centre park and I found myself just inside the penalty area in a frozen moment. In truth the action happened extremely fast, but analyzing the details and the mental processes, it felt like an eternity. As I received the ball other forwards yelled for it, but I had only one intention: beating the keeper with a well placed shot. Thankfully that’s exactly what I did. The outstretched goalie had no chance as the ball bowled into the far corner and I wheeled away to celebrate my first goal for Swieqi United FC.

Prior to the match Matt and I jokingly commented that my celebration should match my role at the club, and I would click and air-camera symbolizing the fact that I am the clubs Official Photographer and Journalist. The high that followed the goal was like no other. I felt like a king, and even though United lost the game, nothing could turn my frown upside down. It was my moment, and every goal, no matter how simple, should be celebrated. This goal was scored in front of a handful of people in a dodgy stadium, and It felt wonderful. One can only imagine what Wayne Rooney must feel when he belts home a 30 yarder in front of 70, 000 screaming fans, each one of them idolizing our mean forward.

As it would be, however, that would be my only goal for Swieqi United, as due to restricted squad sizes I did not make the official team. Gutted as I was, I had no choice but to accept the fact that I will forever have a 100% record for my hometown: 20 minutes of football played, one goal scored! Best of luck to all the boys at Swieqi, I look forward to forming a part of the club as part of the committee and being the official journalist and photographer of my hometown’s football team. Up the Orange!