Great Scott
Tuesday, 27 March, 2007
Scott Sinclair is making a habit of scoring special goals and tonight's sell-out crowd want to see another.
England v Holland
International U18 Friendly
Tuesday 27 March 2007
Huish Park, Yeovil Town FC
Scott Sinclair doesn't score tap-ins - and tonight's sell out crowd at Yeovil will be hoping the teenage starlet can light up Huish Park with another special goal. The flying winger, who is on loan at Plymouth from Premier League champions Chelsea, has already made a fool of countless defenders since linking up with Ian Holloway's outfit - just ask Barnet and Crystal Palace's mesmerised back line.
And the 18 year old will be doing his best to conjure up another magical moment to defeat Holland this evening - a game he is relishing.
"I was delighted when I heard I had been called up to the England squad," he said. "I can’t wait to see the boys again and catch up – it seems ages since I saw them. It should be a great game.
"Playing for your country is an honour. It’s a massive thing, for everyone who plays football, it’s something you dream about. There are so many players in the country who could be in the squad, the competition is huge."
Sinclair's exploits with Plymouth mean he will be one of the star attractions tonight. Indeed, his stunning goal against Barnet in the Fourth Round of The FA Cup is still being talking about up and down the country, and you can bet it will be mentioned on the terraces this evening.
With Plymouth leading by the narrowest of margins, Sinclair hit the afterburners as he blazed through the Barnet defence, twisting and turning like a expert slalom skier before providing a finish beyond his tender years.
"The feeling I got after scoring against Barnet was amazing," said Scott, who celebrated his 18th birthday on Sunday.
"It was one of the best goals I have scored. I watched it that night on Match of the Day and then on Sky Sports the following day. I felt good watching it."
Moments of genius are always followed by people wanting a share of the cake, and while Plymouth ensured Sinclair avoided the media spotlight, his life, particularly on the South Coast, is unlikely to be the same again.
"It’s been weird after that game," he admitted. "The goal was still being replayed a few days after the game and it was in the papers too. My life has changed massively. There is only one team in Plymouth and if I am walking in town, people come up to me and talk or ask for autographs. It’s a nice feeling."
But it was not just on the streets where the teenager was attracting special attention. On the field defenders soon became aware of his searing pace and eye for goal, but Sinclair took it all in his stride.
A flash in the pan? Don’t be fooled. Sinclair followed up his Barnet blockbuster with a header in the Fifth Round against Derby and the opening goal in Plymouth’s league game at Wolves. He then replicated his Underhill masterpiece with an equally majestic goal to defeat Crystal Palace earlier this month.
"My goal against Derby was important too – that got us into the Sixth Round," said Sinclair, who was not even born the last time Plymouth reached the last-eight. "I scored against Wolves, that was my first Championship goal. When I scored, it went completely silent. I was expecting loads of noise."
There will be plenty of noise should Sinclair score against Holland tonight.