SPOT-ON JACOB'S A CRACKER!

Young keeper's penchant for penalties

- Andy Simpson

AFTER Jacob Kirwan stopped three spot-kicks during a shootout to help his Sunday League side win a knockout semi-final in April, he was posed a question.

“How many penalties have you saved this season?” asked a follower on social media.

The young goalkeeper didn’t reply.

He wasn’t being rude; he simply didn’t know.

“I wasn’t keeping count!” he told The NLP.

The tally before kick-off that night was already in double digits, and rose to 14 before the celebrations of George & Dragon’s players could start.

Kirwan, first choice for Alsager Town in the North West Counties League’s Division One South last term, has developed quite a reputation as a consequence.

He saved eight penalties while between the posts for the Cheshire side, split equally between shootouts and regular game time.

“I’m a really good guesser,” quipped the 21-year-old when asked how he did it.