Football Penalty save was such a confidence boost for ‘keeper Luke

THE “goalie equivalent of a last-minute winner” was how Luke Southwood chose to describe it.

- Malachi OBREY

Weeks do not get much better than they did the week before last for the Bristol Rovers shot-stopper; a spectacular penalty save at the death in a 2-1 win over an inform Salford City side followed by another Northern Ireland call-up were two commendable highlights for the 27-year-old.

“It was brilliant,’ Southwood said ahead of last Saturday's game against Walsall.

“It obviously gives me confidence moving forward and obviously gives the lads the reward for all the hard work that they put into that game.”

Despite the disappointing result against Walsall on Saturday, which saw Southwood and Co fall to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of the League Two leaders, the man between the sticks can go into the October internationals with his head still held high.

The game prior, of course, turned many eyes in his direction, and the more eagle-eyed Gasheads may have spotted the ‘keeper's questionable reaction upon the rewarding of the Ammies’ contentious penalty kick.

“I look a bit mental because I start clapping,’ joked the Northern Ireland international.

“It looks like I am happy with the decision because I thought the ref had given us a free-kick so I was buzzing thinking, ‘yeah, the game's done! And then I was like ‘oh, we've got a pen now.