Matty’s moment to savour

ACCRINGTON Stanley defender Matty Pearson feels his match-winning goal against Burnley is the most important goal of his career so far.

Pearson struck in the final minute of extra time to earn his side the win in the EFL Cup, and he is honoured to be the man to achieve the accolade.

“My goal is probably the most important goal I have scored, especially financially for the club,” he told the club’s official website.

“It is mad to think that a few years ago I was playing in non-league and now I have just scored the winning goal, live on Sky against a Premier League side.

“You don’t think about it when you are playing but I had an opportunity and I have taken it and I am glad we have got another Premier League team (West Ham) in the next round and hope we can do it again.”

While it may have been a blur for Pearson at the time, he now remembers vividly how the goal came about.

“I remember Sean McConville’s ball in, the ball went up in the air, I have seen Omar Beckles shooting and it just fell to me,” he said.

“I just knew I was going to get it on target. Whether the keeper was going to save it or not I didn’t know but I just knew I would hit the target and would stand a chance.

“I have got that kind of mentality that, when the ball comes to me, I just have to smash it. I was relieved when it hit the back of the net – as least it meant we didn’t go to penalties – but it was good. I was buzzing.”

Pearson hopes the victory over Burnley will encourage his side to show passion during the rest of the campaign.

“It was a tough game, there were some tough tackles but I think that’s what we have needed to show this season,” he said. “It showed we are all up for the fight and we need to show that in the future.”