Soccer: Young keeper pulls off a miracle

A schoolboy keeper scored from his own box after making a penalty save. Photo / Getty Images

A schoolboy goalkeeper created a piece of football history in Christchurch last week.

Jake Brunton, playing for the St Andrew's College 14A team against Cashmere Technical, had to face a penalty kick when his team was leading 1-0.

But in a Roy of the Rovers moment Brunton saved the penalty and launched a huge kick down the field.

The ball bounced over the other goalkeeper and into the roof of the net to score.

The other goalkeeper had come out to meet a St Andrew's player running forward, and the ball bounced over his head.

Veteran team coach Tony Harvey said he had watched many, many hours of football over decades and never seen that happen before.

"To score a goal after saving a penalty has to be a unique moment in sport. Not only that, it was Jake's birthday.''

Brunton was a bit surprised it went in. "I was angry at the defence for giving away the penalty and I just got rid of the ball as hard as possible,'' he said.

But he agreed it was a "pretty cool birthday present.''

St Andrew's went on to win 2-0.