Must watch video: Late goalkeeper heroics propel club to FA Cup third round
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 13: The FA Cup trophy is photographed by the pitch on the eve of The FA Cup Final match between Chelsea and Liverpool at Wembley Stadium on May 13, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Eddie Keogh/Getty Images)
In an extraordinary FA Cup clash, Leyton Orient goalkeeper Josh Keeley became an unlikely hero, scoring a dramatic stoppage-time equaliser to keep his side’s cup dreams alive.
Daniel Agyei eventually sealed the win in extra time, ending Oldham’s hopes of a giant-killing.
Trailing to Manny Monthe’s 47th-minute strike for National League side Oldham, Orient faced a shock exit. In the dying moments of the match, Keeley, on loan from Tottenham Hotspur, joined the attack for a free kick deep into added time.
Thomas James whipped in the delivery, and Keeley, channeling a striker’s instinct, glanced a perfect header into the net, sparking wild celebrations capped with a knee slide in front of jubilant fans.
The last-gasp equaliser forced extra time, setting the stage for Daniel Agyei to redeem himself after an earlier missed penalty. Agyei struck the decisive goal in added time of the extra period, securing a hard-fought 2-1 victory for the League One side.
Keeley, 21, joined Leyton Orient on loan this summer to gain first-team experience after stints with Tottenham’s U21 side and a loan spell at Barnet. The Irish U21 international began his career with St Patrick’s Athletic before moving to Spurs in 2022.
The victory marks Leyton Orient’s first progression to the FA Cup third round in three years, with anticipation now building for Monday’s draw as they aim for further glory in the storied competition.
