LEISTON | HIGHS AND LOWS

It's been quite a roller-coaster for Billy Johnson over the past week or so

Football can have a habit of lifting you up and then bringing you crashing back down again.

Take Leiston goalkeeper, Billy Johnson, for example. For a few days last week, he was an internet sensation as his stoppage time scissor-kick drew his side level in the Suffolk Premier Cup Final.

The goal went viral and drew much-deserved praise from all over. But then at the weekend, the talented custodian was sent off in first half stoppage time as his side went down to a 2-0 defeat at Stourbridge in the Pitching In Southern League Premier Central.

“That’s the lot of a goalkeeper, you can go from hero to zero pretty quickly,” he told us. “The goal was crazy! I’ve been up for a few corners this season and got close to a couple, but never made contact.

“This time I couldn’t believe it when my right foot connected with the ball as I was flying through the air and then to see the ball hit the back of the net was an incredible feeling. I’ve never scored a competitive goal before, so that was a good way to start!

“The attention was mental; I had my 15 minutes of fame and it was fun with Sky Sports and BBC Sport covering the goal and sharing.

“Of course, it was a different story at the weekend with the red card and defeat at Stourbridge, but that doesn’t define what has been an exciting season for us.

“The season started slowly, but then we found some form during the midway point to put ourselves into play-off contention.

“We’ve struggled for form over the past month or so as the pitches have become so dry that we are unable to play our usual good football, but we’re looking to finish on a high in these final three games, which start on Saturday against a Halesowen Town side that are in the hunt for promotion.

“We’re six points off the play-off places now with three to go, so a top five finish would require us winning all of our games and then relying on others, but you never know!

“This League is great. Every week brings a new challenge, there’s always unexpected results and you are kept on your toes throughout. What more could you ask for?”

Having hosted Halesowen Town on Saturday they head to Lowestoft Town on Bank Holiday Monday before rounding things off at home to already-relegated Biggleswade Town on the final day of the season.

IMAGE: Leiston FC

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