FanSided World Football
·30 November 2024
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Yahoo sportsFanSided World Football
·30 November 2024
In a week where the goalkeeping department at Hotspur Way has been under the spotlight following Vicario's recent injury setback, one Spurs goalkeeper dramatically turned goalscorer.
Josh Keeley, currently out on loan at struggling League One outfit Leyton Orient, has been learning of the harsh realities of men's senior football, with his club currently just outside the relegation zone.
Despite his loan club struggling in the league thus far, the young Irishman has produced some impressive performances, saving a penalty in his last outing against Huddersfield Town in midweek.
This afternoon, he was introduced to the magic of the FA Cup in a dramatic tie at home to National League side Oldham Athletic, in the second round proper. Deep into the ninth minute of stoppage time, in stoppage time of stoppage time, the away side were leading with a major upset on the cards.
Orient were awarded a free kick, prompting Keeley to join the attack in a last-ditch attempt to salvage their cup dreams, and force extra time against their National League counterparts.
The free was whipped in by Tom James, and the Irish U21 international goalkeeper rose first and guided his header into the bottom right corner of the net, sending the home fans into raptures and the game into extra time.
Leyton Orient went on to win the game in the last minute of extra time, but there is no doubt who their hero is this evening, as they put their name in the hat for the third round, with the possibility of drawing a big hitter from the Premier League.
In the aftermath of the game, Keeley was praised by fans online for a man-of-the-match performance for the O's, who will now go into the hat for the third round, where Keeley's side have a chance of drawing his parent club.
Fellow Tottenham loanee Jamie Donley also played in the game, coming on as an 85th minute substitute.
The pair are the most recent editions of a long-standing loan relationship between the two clubs. Players like Andros Townsend and Harry Kane have gained valuable exposure to first team football at Leyton Orient to aid their development in the past.
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