A NORTHERN IRISH footballer has had every striker's worst nightmare after awkwardly celebrating a 'goal' without realising he hadn't actually scored.
Portadown FC's Adam Salley was through on goal during the club’s NIFL Bluefin Sport Championship game against Queens University, before he smoothly placed the ball passed the goalkeeper to score ... or so he thought.
Salley fires the ball passed the keeper (Credit: PortadownFC)Tragically, the goalmouth had seen better days, and a thick puddle of mud lay just in front of the goal-line, something Salley failed to take into account.
With the ball all but certain to ripple the net, Salley peeled away to celebrate, and even began something of an embarrassing jig in front of the stands, all the while failing to realising his shot hadn't crossed the line.
Awkwardly, the ball is stopped on the line by mud, but the striker fails to notice - (Credit: PortadownFC)Fortunately for the 23-year-old, the defenders were as oblivious as he was, and stopped running, presuming a goal had been scored - which allowed Chris Lavrey to nip in and poke home the easiest goal he'll ever score from just an inch or two out.
Perplexed, Salley turns around after realising something isn't right, and even seems to reprimand Lavrey for seemingly 'stealing' his goal, but the quick-thinking scorer quickly informs his teammates of the red-face he's just spared him.
Fortunately, Salley's teammate is on hand on tap the ball home - as Salley tragically begins his celebration - (Credit: PortadownFC)Those feeling sorry for Salley needn't. He grabbed himself a second-half hattrick, and presumably made sure to watch each strike fully cross the line before wheeling away to celebrate.
Goalscorer Lavery explains why he 'stole' Salley's goal (Credit: PortadownFC)Let this be a lesson to any footballers out there. Always. Play. To. The. Whistle. And save the obnoxious dancing for the dressing room!
