FORMER England squad goalkeeper Scott Loach was the unlikely shootout hero for ninth-tier Eastwood after saving THREE penalties before scoring the winner himself.
The 38-year-old produced his stunning FA Vase heroics as Eastwood edged past Skegness Town following a 1-1 draw.
Scott Loach was the unlikely hero in a penalty shootout Credit: Unknown
Loach saved three penalties and then scored the decisive spot-kick himself to help Eastwood win 4-3 on penalties against Skegness Town Credit: Unknown
Loach, who was called into Fabio Capello’s senior England set-up during his career, rolled back the years between the sticks.
And after keeping out three Skegness spot-kicks, the veteran then took matters into his own hands.
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Loach stepped forward from goal to take Eastwood’s decisive penalty and buried it to seal a dramatic 4-3 shootout victory.
Skegness had initially gone ahead after 28 minutes when Matt Clarke converted from the penalty spot.
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But Eastwood were level just eight minutes later courtesy of an own goal, with neither side able to find a winner after the break.
That sent the FA Vase tie straight to penalties and gave former Lincoln City stopper Loach the chance to steal the show.
His heroics came 16 years after he was first drafted into Capello’s senior England squad in August 2010 following the withdrawals of Ben Foster and Paul Robinson ahead of a friendly against Hungary.
He was summoned again the following month after Scott Carson withdrew for Euro 2012 qualifiers against Bulgaria and Switzerland, having previously established himself at Under-21 level under Stuart Pearce.
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Scott Loach represented the England Under-21 team 14 times during his career Credit: Getty Images
Loach had made his England Under-21 debut against Ecuador in February 2009 before being selected for that summer’s European Championship, where he deputised for the suspended Joe Hart in the 4-0 final defeat to Germany.
He later received another senior England call-up under Capello and, although he never won a full international cap.
His career has now produced another memorable moment at the other end of the football pyramid.
This time by saving three penalties and then smashing home the winner himself.
