King's Lynn matchwinner saluted after stuung late winner against Peterborough Sports
King's Lynn Town manager Tommy Widdrington saluted Joshua Barrett after his sparkling goal clinched an enthralling 2-1 derby win over Peterborough Sports.
Barrett came off the bench to extend Lynn's unbeaten run to six matches in the National League North after Dion Sembie-Ferris had cancelled out Josh Coulson's opener early in the second half.
The former Championship player's 92nd strike was a memorable one as he chested the ball down and let fly with a thunderous volley from all of 35 yards, which whistled past Peter Crook between the home posts.
His screamer left the majority of the home faithful slack-jawed in amazement while sparking wild celebrations inside the away end of the Bee Arena.
Widdrington said: "The guy is a fantastic talent. If the ball is to drop to anyone in the 92nd minute then you want it to be him.
"I don't care who you support but you should clap that as it's way, way above this level. You won't see many better than that at any level of football."
Barrett has had to remain patient to finally get his chance following a stop-start pre-season - but his chance to shine from the start will arrive.
"Josh knows what I think of him," admitted Widdrington.
"He's had a stop-start pre-season with a tight hamstring and then his partner has given birth to their first child so his whole life has been turned upside down.
"I want us to be fit, fast and strong as a team, Josh is not quite there yet and I think he's accepted it begrudgingly."
Reflecting on his winner, Barrett said: "The pitch here is narrow so I knew when I came on that I was going to get at least one chance.
"I managed to hit it perfectly and it flew in. I've scored quite a few good goals but in terms of the occasion and what we needed for the team in terms of winning
"I've got it in my locker and I've done it in a lot harder games. I knew when I came on that I could make an impact."
Rival Peterborough Sports boss Jimmy Dean was full of praise for the midfielder, despite his late screamer condemning the Turbines to their third loss of the season.
"It was a moment of magic from Josh and god knows how far that boy could go if he was fit," said Dean.
"I want to cry and that's twice he's done it to us now after changing the game against in the FA Cup last season.
"The chest and the hit is one of the hardest techniques to do. Everyone is raving about Saint-Maximin's goal for Newcastle at the weekend, but this is as good if not better than that.
"He's a humble, quiet boy and like I said if he was fit who knows where he could be."
Dean quipped: "If Lynn don't play him we'll have to see if we can get him in on loan."
The Peterborough Sports boss was deflated after seeing his side beaten at the death.
"Today's the first time we haven't got what we've deserved out of a football match," he added.
