TEACHER’S NET
Luke shoots to top of the class
LUKE MATHESON admits he went back to school yesterday with a mixture of excitement and dread following his Old Trafford heroics.
The 16-year-old was the toast of Rochdale after scoring a shock equaliser against Manchester United on Wednesday night.
The teenager’s strike took the Carabao Cup clash to penalties as the League One side came within a whisker of producing a stunning upset.
But life returned to normal yesterday when Matheson swapped his boots for books and went back to Trinity High School to sit a psychology exam as part of his A-Level studies.
The Fallowfield school is less than five miles from Old Trafford and Matheson admits most of his mates support United, meaning he was in for a mixed reception.
Matheson, who is 17 next week, said: “That is a special moment for me, to score at such a historic place.
“I should have been at school on the day of the game but I’m back in to make up for it. I have a psychology test and I can’t wait for that.
“I am studying A-Levels. Psychology, history and sociology. Education is something I am very fond of. I love it.
“It will be nice when everyone comes up to me and says ‘you scored against United.’ Most of my best mates are United fans. I have not turned my phone on yet. I am dreading it, but I can’t wait.”
Matheson has been watched by United since becoming the youngest senior player in Rochdale’s history and could be turning out at Old Trafford on a more regular basis one day.
But he is refusing to look too far ahead and education remains his priority.
Matheson, who hails from Manchester but supports Norwich because of his dad’s East Anglian roots, added: “Rochdale and the school have been so supportive of me. I love learning. Football is not a guarantee.
“You could be the best player in the world but anything is possible. I want to have that back-up plan just in case.
“Trinity have sort of made their timetable around me and Rochdale allowed me to do the A-Levels, so I just cannot thank them enough for supporting me.
“Hopefully I’ll have a long playing career. I am looking forward to see what the future holds.”