Two strikers go in goal after keeper gets sent off for non-league side

Two strikers were forced to go in goal as Aldershot’s decision not to have a backup keeper backfired spectacularly.

With the National League clash goal-less, the Shots had Jordi Van Stappershoef sent off 11 minutes before half-time in their Hampshire derby at Eastleigh. As manager Tommy Widdrington – the former Southampton midfielder – had not named a stopper on the bench, Swiss striker Lorent Tolaj was forced to come on and don the gloves.

Tolaj was soon picking the ball out of his net as Chris Maguire gave Eastleigh the lead before half-time with a free-kick and Enzio Boldewijn doubled the lead against the 10 men on 64 minutes.

Sensing his team needed a spark, Widdrington then decided to switch goalkeepers with Tolaj being pushed into his more accustomed position and Kwame Thomas, who had started the game up front, being thrown the gloves.

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However, like Tolaj, his first act as a reluctant goalkeeper was to pick the ball out of the back of the net as Boldewijn added his second to make it 3-0, which is how it stayed.

After the match, TNT Sports commentator Adam Summerton posted on X (formerly Twitter): “Never thought I’d commentate on a game where one team had 3 different goalkeepers [exploding head emoji].”

Have you ever known a side field three keepers in one game? Tell us in the comments section below

While amusing to viewers, Aldershot fans struggled to see the funny side, with some branding the scenes “embarrassing” and demanding an apology.

“Just play rush keeper,” quipped one. Another fumed: “This is embarrassing, shambles.”

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A third raged: “The manager has to apologise to the fans for a poor decision he has made with his squad. Embarrassing.”

Another branded Widdrington a “clown”, while one angry fan said: “Absolutely shocking. All started with a very rash decision from a poor goalkeeper. Embarrassing. End of.”

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