Midfielder scored a screamer against Wigan...
Midfielder Sam Mantom is developing a reputation for scoring spectacular long-range goals.The ex-West Brom man has scored six times this term – including three eye-catching strikes in his last nine appearances.
Mantom netted Walsall’s winner against Brentford in January with a delightful curling shot and also fired home a rasping low drive at Doncaster earlier this month.
He was on target again in Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Wigan, smashing a stunning half-volley into the top corner from 25 yards.
And Mantom believes his latest goal, which came on his 24th birthday, is his best of the campaign to date.
“I was saying to some friends it would be nice to score on my birthday in front of our fans,” said Mantom.
“All of my goals have come away from home and it was nice to score down the end where our support was as well.
“I wanted the free kick but Jason (Demetriou) was adamant he was having it and I just thought I could pick up the loose ball if it ricochets.
“I couldn’t believe it when it fell to me and the rest is history. I caught it as sweet as I could have hoped and not many keepers would have saved it.
“It’s my best goal of the season and moments like that remind you why you’re in football.
“Scoring a goal like that on my birthday was something I’ll remember for a while, it was just a shame we couldn’t get a result.”
The strike against Wigan means Mantom has now beaten his previous best season tally of five goals.
And the midfielder is hoping more goals are still to come before the season’s end.
“Goals have been something that I’ve wanted to add to my game,” he said.
“It’s encouraging at the moment and it’s something I’m going to keep working on.
“My personal best in a season was five so it’s really nice to have surpassed it now.
“Once I’d scored three earlier in the season I wanted double figures but then I picked up a nasty injury and missed a number of games.
“It killed my momentum but it’s nice to be back in the swing of things and I’m looking to add another few before the end of the season.
“It would be nice to add to it at Burton on Saturday!”