Young Goal Ace Denied Scoring Record

17 year-old Ryan Smith from Grimsby is a new entry onto the list of players who’ve scored the most goals in one game by netting 16 goals in a Lincolnshire Intermediate League game last weekend.17 year-old Ryan Smith from Grimsby is a new entry onto the list of players who’ve scored the most goals in one game by netting 16 goals in a Lincolnshire Intermediate League game last weekend.

Playing for Expression Colts, Ryan fired his team to a 20-0 win against Holton-le-Clay Grasshoppers in the North League. He is now the league’s leading scorer with 57 and has notched a remarkable total of 226 goals over the last four seasons.

The delighted youngster who has already attracted the attention of Lincoln City told the Grimsby Evening Telegraph: “I couldn’t believe it. I could have scored 20, though, I hit the bar twice and missed a few chances.

“I have scored nine a couple of times in games but never this much. There was no headers, just with my right and my left foot. We went into half-time 8-0 ahead and I had scored seven of them!”

Ryan’s manager Jim Collins added: “He is just so fast it is unbelievable. He has quick feet and is a bit special - a natural goalscorer who is really passionate about his football.”

The record for the most goals in a first class game currently stands at 13 by John Petrie in Arbroath’s famous 36-0 win against Bon Accord in the Scottish Cup on 12 September 1885 and by Australia’s Archie Thompson in the farcical 31-0 World Cup Qualifying victory against American Samoa in New South Wales on 11 April 2001.

Despite his tremendous effort, Ryan will be disappointed to learn that he cannot claim the record for the most goals in a competitive game at any level. We are aware of an awesome 22-goal haul by Linda Curl of Norwich in a 40-0 win against Milton Keynes in FA Women’s Challenge Cup tie in 1983.

All is not lost though as Expression Colts are due to play the return fixture with Holton-le-Clay Grasshoppers this weekend!

If you aware of a similar extreme goalscoring feat at football’s grassroots level, we’d be delighted and grateful to hear from you. Please forward the details to mark@11v11.com