By Adam Ellis
Has there ever been such an out of control finish to a football match? Two minutes into stoppage time in the second half of the North West Counties Premier League match between Padiham and Widnes and the score stands at 3-1 to the visitors.
Widnes, playing in yellow, held the advantage in the closing stages of the match thanks to first-half goals by Jack Banister and Bradley Smart, and then Kevin Pollard finding the net in the 77th minute to make it 3-1.
With time running out at the Ruby Civil Arena, the Storks press for a way back into the game…
A couple of people struggling with the link earlier – this should work now. Here’s the last minute again for those who couldn’t get the link pic.twitter.com/whVFiZGpbz
— Millbour Productions (@MillbourVideos) October 29, 2017
It was striker Spencer Jordan who gave Padiham a lifeline, smashing home the host’s second goal of the game.
Widnes, looking to immediately bounce back, go direct and substitute Andrew Gillespie has to opportunity to score a fourth but for a brilliant clearance on the line by Ben Hoskin.
Quick distribution from the Storks goalkeeper Dane Smith allows Bradley Ditch to aim a header towards goal, but his effort rebounds straight into the path of Spencer who is left to claim the glory of a crazy 60 seconds of football and draw the game level at 3-3.
Commenting on the dramatic finish, Padiham boss Liam Smith admitted his phone prevented from having a peaceful Sunday.
Smith told the Burnley Express: “It’s mental, my phone has been going crazy. I think the clip captures every genre of film.
“There’s horror, comedy, thriller, action. It’s the craziest minute of football that I’ve ever been involved in. I’ve never witnessed anything like it.
The draw sees Padiham move one place ahead of Widnes into 10th in the Step 5 division, 16 points behind leaders Runcorn Town.
