McLaughlin Rotherham strike rewarded
A spectacular 30-yard thunderbolt has ensured Fleetwood Town’s Conor McLaughlin has become the latest winner of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy Ultimate Finish competition.
The 22-year-old Northern Irishman produced a rocket shot to give his side a 2-1 victory over Rotherham in the Northern Area Semi-Finals.
McLaughlin was one of five players who had their goals nominated for the Ultimate Finish, along with Peterborough United trio Grant McCann, Kgosi Ntlhe, and Nathaniel Mendez-Liang and Oldham frontman Danny Philliskirk.
And the Fleetwood ace’s strike proved a resounding favourite amongst supporters as he accumulated more than 60 per cent of the public vote to become a clear winner.
“It was my first goal for Fleetwood and it couldn’t have come at a better time,” said a delighted McLaughlin.
“The space opened up for me 30 yards from goal so I thought it was worth a shot and thankfully I struck it well and it flew in.
“We were all delighted with victory against a very good Rotherham side and it kept us in contention to go all the way to Wembley in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy which would be absolutely fantastic.”
McLaughlin follows Bristol City’s Joe Bryan, Portsmouth’s Patrick Agyemang and Conor Washington of Newport in winning this season’s Johnstone’s Paint Trophy Ultimate Finish awards.
The quartet’s goals will also feature in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy Ultimate Finish of the Season competition, which will be launched following the Wembley final on Sunday March 30.
“Our congratulations go to Conor,” said Ben Wilde, brand and sponsorship manager for Johnstone’s Paint. “It was a terrific strike and one worthy of winning any match and award.”
A Johnstone’s Decorating Centre can be found on Caunce Street in Blackpool, FY1 3NH.