By Tara Murray
Western United young star Jordan Lauton never in his wildest dreams could have imagined what his first A-League Men’s goal would have been.
Not a known goalscorer, Lauton produced some magic with a bicycle kick to give United a dying seconds win against Perth Glory earlier this month.
Many have said the goal is amongst the best in A-League history.
“It has settled down a little bit,” he said. “You rarely expect one of those goals to happen.
“The ball came to me and the next minute it was in the back of the net. I wasn’t thinking at all.”
Lauton said he hadn’t scored a goal at any level in the past six years, making it even more special.
He said it was a bit strange to find his name on the goalscorers list.
“I ended the goal scoring drought,” he said. “It was very different for me.
“Hopefully I can score a few more.”
The aftermath resulted in Lauton getting his second yellow for the game and being sent from the field.
While he then missed the next game through suspension, he doesn’t regret his celebration.
“I didn’t realise,” he said. “Obviously I’d scored and then fell to the ground before being sent off.
“It’s one of those moments you have to enjoy.”
The goal is the big moment that has been a whirlwind 12 months for the 21-year-old.
He made his debut last season before earning his first A-League contract this season.
Lauton, who grew up in Ballarat, said if it wasn’t for United he doesn’t know where he would be.
“It Western didn’t happen and become a club, this opportunity to play wouldn’t have happened,” he said.
“It helps having a team in the west for myself and other people like Abel Walatee, who have grown up out here.”
Lauton is part of a young United group is growing in confidence.
Only a week after the win against Perth Glory, United beat Melbourne Victory, with two goals in injury time to come from behind again.
Lauton said the group was starting to find their feet.
“It was a great win against one of the biggest teams in the competition,” he said. “We’ve shown that we can come back despite how long is left and whatever is happening in the game.
“We’ve got that fight and I’m glad to be part of it.”
Lauton said being a young group they’ve got plenty of legs which was showing when it was needed too.
Many of the young group had come through the United Academy together many they had played a lot together in recent weeks.
“Everyone is starting their journey into the senior side,” he said. “It is good to progress and there’s been a lot of hard work.”
Lauton said his season had so far exceeded his expectations and he’s played more minutes than he thought he would.
For now, he wants to keep working hard and take his opportunities.
“Hopefully I can help the team as high as we can.”
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