Guardian Knowledge answers players who scored on first touch of professional careers
First-touch debut goals
The Knowledge opens with a query from Richard Askham about Huddersfield teenager Jamie Spencer, 17, who made his first first-team competitive appearance for Huddersfield at Doncaster on 9 September in the EFL Trophy. Spencer came on as a substitute in the 66th minute and scored with his second touch of the ball, one to control it and the second to score. Askham asks whether anyone has ever scored with their very first touch, which would better Spencer’s achievement.
The column notes a 2021 variation on players scoring with their first touch on debut for new clubs, and this week goes further to professional career debuts.
Established first-touch career debuts
- Jack Aitchison for Celtic in 2016
- Matt Hatch for Central Coast Mariners in 2021
- Michael Ricketts for Walsall against Brighton in 1996
- Maheta Molango for Brighton against Reading in August 2004
- Yan Dhanda for Swansea City at Sheffield United in 2018
Reader examples
Ben McGowan recalls Luke Medley on his professional debut for Bradford in 2007. Aged 18 years and two months, Medley came on in the 76th minute against Wrexham and two minutes later scored an absolutely stunning half-volley with his first touch in professional football.
Mukhtar Khan flags Raphael Meade coming on as a substitute for Arsenal against Panathinaikos in September 1981 and scoring with his very first touch, a bicycle kick in the Uefa Cup. The Daily Express reported Kenny Samson provided the cross from the left and Meade, with his back to goal, beat keeper Konstantinou all ends up.
Bjørn Barang notes Ibra Sekajja scored with his first touch on his professional debut for Crystal Palace against Hull in 2011, an 88th-minute equaliser to help Palace retain their Championship status.
Andy Brook and Robert Heath identify Alan Smith’s first touch as a professional footballer resulting in a goal for Leeds at Anfield. With Leeds 1-0 down, Smith came off the bench and equalised with his first touch in front of the Kop two minutes later, before Leeds went on to win 3-1 in Gerard Houllier’s first game in sole charge of Liverpool.