The magic of the cup…
It might be an international break right now, but there are still English domestic club matches happening, in the FA Cup no less. The most historic cup competition in the world.
Ok, they might be amateur teams, but club football is club football. At every level of the pyramid, there is entertainment. Yes, some of it will be entertaining due to its lack of quality, but entertainment is entertainment.
This, however, was a rare moment of genuine brilliance in the pits of non-league.
In a first qualifying round tie between Maltby Main and Frickley, the goalkeeper for the home side, James Pollard, pulled off a stunning double save to keep his side in the game.
The first save came from a one vs one situation with a Frickley striker, before an onrushing attacker tried to score a looping header from the rebound. But Pollard had the awareness and the reflexes to make it back to his goal line in time to tip the ball over the bar.
Take a bow son, take a bow.
Great double-save from Maltby Main goalkeeper James Pollard! #FACup #bbcfacup pic.twitter.com/hJ9CmUvXzL
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) September 8, 2018
Maltby Main went on to lose the game 2-1 but didn’t disgrace themselves against a better team.
Maltby Main play their football in the Northern Counties East League Premier Division and their home ground is Muglet Lane. Frickley Athletic, meanwhile, are in the Northern Premier League Premier Division and play at the Westfield Lane.
