James on his giant peach
Reporter: MATTHEW CHAMBERS
Date published: 18 September 2014
WINGING IT: James Dayton, who scored a memorable goal at Swindon, sets off on a run against Gillingham.
JAMES Dayton has revealed the wonder-goal he scored at Swindon might NOT rank as his best.
The 25 year old stunned home supporters at the County Ground with the quality of his exocet of a shot - already a leading contender for Athletic’s goal of the season..
But Dayton already has such an accolade in his pocket, having claimed the Scottish Premier League’s official goal of the season in 2011-12 for a strike from a similar distance, for Kilmarnock against Dundee United.
Accepting the sweet, 35-yard effort on Tuesday ranks among his finest, he admitted it came almost by accident after a sloppy first touch.
“My touch wasn’t the best initially and it probably made my mind up for me to just strike it. Thankfully, it flew in,” he said. “It was a good feeling to score. I feel I’m playing all right at the moment.”
Dayton came off in the second half at Swindon after suffering another knock to his previously-injured ankle. But he reckons he will be ready for Notts County - in which case the possible return of top scorer Jonathan Forte might give manager Lee Johnson a selection headache.
“Hopefully, I should be fit for Saturday — if the gaffer picks me,” said Dayton
With a record of only one defeat away all season, Dayton says there is no reason why Athletic can’t win this weekend.
“We went down to Swindon and got a result after a very long journey and against a good team. We have to be fairly happy to get a point against a side going for the top-six this year,” he said
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