A youngster from the Isle of Wight has become the youngest goalscorer in the 151-year history of the FA Cup. Finn Smith scored for Newport in his 3–1 win in the qualifying round against Fleet his Town the day after his 16th birthday.
“I’m well chuffed,” said the teenager.
“I’ve been getting loads of messages from people saying congratulations and how proud they are. It’s hard to take it all in if I’m honest.”
Finn Smith won’t start sixth grade at the local secondary school until next month. The midfielder made his senior debut signing for Wessex League Division One on his birthday on 5 August.
Finn Smith more on this regard
“It was a close game so I wasn’t really expecting to get on the pitch,” stated Smith
“I noticed their left-back had maybe pulled his hamstring, so I just ran through the middle of the field, past the defender, and called for the ball. My team-mate passed to me in the box and I just tapped it in.”
It was only after some time had passed, did Smith realized that he had written his name in the history books of the world-famous tournament.
“When I was walking into the changing room after the game, I heard all the lads talking and on their phones. They were saying that I might have beaten the record. They were searching on their phones. I was just shocked.”
“I went to a beach party to celebrate,” said the 16-year-old.
A week later, the Football Association confirmed that Smith was the youngest goalscorer in the tournament’s history at 16 years and one day old.
Players must be at least 16 years old to play in the FA Cup. The previous record holder for this competition was 16 years and 25 days old.
Finn Smith is definitely in the history books, but Newport has already dropped out of the competition this year. Last day, they lost their preliminary round to AFC Stoneham with a tie of 2-0.
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