Question – What’s better than sending your goalkeeper up for a late corner and having him find the net?
Answer – When it’s an Irish goalkeeper that’s done it.
Irishman Barry Roche found himself in the role of rescuer during Morecambe’s League Two tie with Portsmouth on Tuesday night.
Having led 1-0 since the first half, it looked to all that Paul Cook’s Pompey were returning to the south coast with all three points in tow.
But Roche hadn’t read that version of the script and he decided to write his own ending as he sprinted from his own box to take up position in Portsmouth’s, where all 6 ft 4 inches of him caused mayhem.
The 33-year-old had almost scored in the first half when this long ball up the pitch almost caught out his opposite number.
But Roche saved all the drama for the end as he headed home the equaliser in amazing style (for a goalkeeper).
0.0029 – The goals per game ratio of Barry Roche. Prolific.
— Opta Morecambe (@OptaMorecambe) February 2, 2016
Roche’s teammates weren’t the only ones to enjoy the leveller… Sky Sports’ Jeff Stelling also quite enjoyed it.
Jeff Stelling reacts to Irish goalkeeper Barry Roche heading a last minute equaliser @ShrimpsOfficial pic.twitter.com/eiWjhLIRPF
— Patrick McCarry (@patmccarry) February 2, 2016
