With 95 minutes on the clock, and Western United chasing an unlikely winner against Perth Glory, up stepped 21-year-old Jordan Lauton to write his name into Isuzu UTE A-League folklore.
The Western United midfielder’s first league goal will go down as one of the best in the competition’s 20-year history due to the acrobatic nature of the overhead kick, and the context of the moment.
Western trailed 2-1 heading into added time before Tate Russell equalised and set the stage for Lauton to become a hero with a moment that he, and all A-Leagues fans, will never forget.
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What made the stunning match-winner even more iconic was the celebration that followed. Having already received a yellow card in the second half, Lauton took his shirt off as he wheeled away in celebration – a decision that led to the youngster’s second caution of the game and a red card for his troubles.
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But speaking to club media in the days following his iconic maiden A-Leagues goal, Lauton echoed the sentiment shared by his head coach John Aloisi, and undoubtedly the rest of his teammates and all those who watched the magic unfold at HBF Park: in the grand scheme of things, the red card matters little to an exciting young player whose extraordinary bicycle kick will be talked about long into the future.
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Lauton’s wholesome interview began with the obvious question: how many times has he watched the goal back since clinching three valuable points for Western in Perth?
“Honestly, I couldn’t count it,” he said. “I’ve watched it too many times! It’s one of those ones, you don’t do those often so I might as well enjoy it while I can.
“I played the one-two with Benny (Garuccio), and Benny came inside. So then it went to the other side, then Tate played the ball and it was looking like a cross was going to happen. So Benny was telling me behind me: ‘Get in the box, Jordy, get in the box!’
“I was like: ‘I could score here’, and then I just ran it to see what happens.
“To be honest, my eyes were closed! The ball came, my eyes were closed, and it’s just one of those feelings I guess you get when this sort of stuff happens, you just kind of know. I kicked it and looked over my shoulder and the ball was in the net.
“As soon as I scored (the) top came off,” Lauton added, “because I didn’t know what happened, I just took it off – as soon as I took it off I took a couple of steps and that’s when I fell on the floor and I was like, I got sent off. But I think it was worth it! Obviously you don’t score those often so, might as well enjoy it!
“I was a bit apologetic because I got sent off, but the boss (John Aloisi) understood. He’s (scored) many goals before so he knows the feeling… he understood, and he said it was all good.”
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It’s been four days since Lauton’s dramatic winner in Perth, but the 21-year-old admits he’s still coming down to earth after the mayhem at HBF Park.
“After the game, no joke, I called my mum and dad and I spoke to them for about 20 seconds because there was so much going on,” he said. “I just quickly called them and they were just buzzing – no real words were given, it was just a bit of excitement really. But then I started getting messages from friends and family, and some of the old boys that used to play.
“When I was driving home from the airport, I was like man, this is a bit crazy!
“But it’s all sacrifice and hard work, it’s those types of things that help these moments feel a lot better. Because football has its ups and downs… you’ve just got to enjoy those moments and whatever happens, happens.”
Lauton missed Western’s clash with Melbourne City on Tuesday night but will be available for selection once again when his side take on Melbourne Victory at AAMI Park on Friday, January 10.
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