Dom Ballard says he may never score a better goal than his back-heeled volley, which so nearly secured the Robins’ first win of the season at Birmingham.
The 21-year-old summer signing from Leyton Orient came off the bench with 25 minutes to go and, with five minutes remaining and the scores level, produced an exquisite finish from Rio Cardines’ inswinging cross from the left, flashing a finish with his back to goal past James Beadle’s despairing dive and into the top corner.
The goal has gone viral on social media, with many suggesting it is the front-runner for the Puskas Award – FIFA’s prize for the best goal of the year.
Ballard told BBC Radio Bristol it was the best of his young career and added: “I just read it, got the heel on it, and it’s probably one of the best goals I’ll ever score.
“I believe I am capable of scoring from anywhere. The keeper least expects you to score from there, so that always catches you off guard. The goal doesn’t move.
“It’s a lovely goal. To do it in front of the away fans, at St Andrew’s, in a big game, it’s definitely a moment I’ll cherish. It was a really nice way to get off the mark.”
Many have questioned whether Ballard can make the step up after scoring 23 goals in 40 League One appearances for the O’s last season and the forward said: “Everyone talks about a big step into the Championship, and I agree with them. There’s a vast step in terms of ability and tactics.
“Ultimately my job is to score goals. I did that a lot last year, so I got my move. Now I believe I can do it at this level as well.”
Despite the late wonder goal, City were pegged back by a controversial penalty in added time to draw 2-2, and Ballard added: “We have frustration with the result, not so much with the performance. We should definitely have won that game.
“We don’t want to make excuses, but [the penalty] was a big decision to make in that moment.”
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