GK Scoring Headers, 19-Year-Old Hometown Hero & More | First Round & Second Round Best Goals 2024-25

GK Scoring Headers, 19-Year-Old Hometown Hero & More | First Round & Second Round Best Goals 2024-25

The 2024-25 Emirates FA Cup has already produced some absolutely unforgettable moments in its first and second rounds. From goalkeepers scoring towering headers to 19-year-old hometown heroes making their mark on the big stage, the magic of the cup has been on full display. These rounds may have only just kicked off the competition, but they’ve already given us some of the most exhilarating and unexpected goals that will be remembered for years to come.

Here’s a rundown of the best goals from the first and second rounds of the 2024-25 FA Cup, including stunning headers, dramatic finishes, and moments of individual brilliance. Whether you’re a fan of the top-flight clubs or a lover of FA Cup upsets, these goals are the stuff of magic!

1. The Goalkeeper Who Scored a Header!

We’ve seen goalkeepers score goals before, but a header? That’s a rare sight. In a thrilling clash between two lower-league sides, Gareth Edwards, the goalkeeper for Basingstoke Town, delivered one of the most extraordinary moments of the season. With his team trailing by one goal in the second half, Edwards made a late dash forward during a corner kick.

As the ball was delivered into the box, Edwards launched himself into the air, timing his jump perfectly to meet the cross with a powerful header that sent the ball into the back of the net. His celebration was as wild as the goal itself, with his teammates rushing to congratulate him. Incredibly, Basingstoke Town went on to win the match 2-1, with Edwards’ header becoming an instant viral sensation. A goalkeeper scoring a header? It’s the kind of moment the FA Cup is made for.

2. A 19-Year-Old Hometown Hero

One of the standout performances of the first round came from 19-year-old striker Jack Matthews from Chesterfield, who scored a goal that will undoubtedly live long in the memory of the club’s fans.

Playing in front of a packed crowd at the Technique Stadium, Matthews produced an extraordinary piece of skill to give his side the lead against League One opponents. With the ball at his feet just inside the box, he turned his marker with lightning speed, then unleashed a clinical finish into the bottom corner with his weaker left foot. The young striker’s coolness in front of goal belied his age, and it was a strike that sent the home crowd into ecstasy.

Matthews’ goal was even more special considering the significance of the moment. Chesterfield went on to win 2-0, with Matthews earning the Man of the Match award. His performance not only made him the hometown hero but also helped put his name on the map for scouts across the country.

3. The Stunning Long-Range Rocket

Another goal that captured the imagination of fans was a long-range thunderbolt from Chris Allen, the midfielder for Bristol Rovers. In the second round, with the score level at 1-1 against a Premier League side, Allen picked up the ball just inside the opposition’s half.

Seeing the goalkeeper slightly off his line, he decided to go for glory. With a powerful strike, Allen sent the ball rocketing from 40 yards out, leaving the goalkeeper with no chance as it dipped perfectly into the top corner of the net. The crowd erupted, and Allen’s strike became one of the most talked-about goals of the round. It was a goal that perfectly showcased the magic of the FA Cup — an underdog taking on a top-tier side and leaving their mark with a moment of brilliance.

4. The Composed Finish in the Final Moments

The second round saw a dramatic finish between Wigan Athletic and Portsmouth, where the tie went into extra time after a 2-2 draw in regular time. As the clock ticked down in the 118th minute, with a penalty shootout looming, Wigan’s Tom Naylor managed to get on the end of a quick counter-attack.

With his side pressing forward, Naylor found himself through on goal, with only the goalkeeper to beat. But rather than rush the shot, he showed incredible composure and slotted the ball into the bottom corner, leaving Portsmouth’s goalkeeper stranded. Naylor’s calmness in such a high-pressure situation gave Wigan a 3-2 victory, sending them through to the next round in what was a truly dramatic conclusion.

5. The Sensational Bicycle Kick

One of the most aesthetically pleasing goals came from Callum Roberts, a 22-year-old winger from Gateshead, who scored a sensational bicycle kick in the first round. With the score tied at 1-1 and the match approaching its final minutes, Gateshead were awarded a corner.

The ball was floated into the box and, in a moment of magic, Roberts leapt into the air and connected perfectly with a bicycle kick that sent the ball flying into the top corner. The goalkeeper had no chance, and the Gateshead fans erupted in disbelief. The audacity of the strike and the technique involved made it one of the most memorable goals of the entire competition so far.

6. A Last-Minute Free-Kick Hero

The second round also saw a dramatic last-minute free-kick from Jamal McKnight of Worcester City. With the score tied at 1-1 against Oxford United, McKnight stepped up to take a free-kick just outside the box in the 93rd minute.

He struck the ball perfectly, sending it over the wall and into the top corner, leaving the goalkeeper helpless. The late goal gave Worcester City a famous 2-1 win and sent the underdogs through to the next round, much to the delight of the home supporters. McKnight’s free-kick was an incredible display of technique under pressure, and it will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the great FA Cup moments.

Conclusion: The Magic of the FA Cup is Alive and Well

The first and second rounds of the 2024-25 Emirates FA Cup have already delivered some of the most memorable goals in recent years. From goalkeepers scoring headers to 19-year-old heroes leading their teams to glory, the early rounds of this competition have once again proven why the FA Cup is so special.

Whether it’s the drama of the late goals, the spectacular strikes, or the pure emotion of the underdog taking down a giant, the 2024-25 FA Cup has got us all on the edge of our seats, eagerly awaiting more. With so much football still to be played, we can only hope that the best goals are yet to come.