The January winners of the Sky Bet EFL Goal of the Month Award are...
Lewis O’Brien – Barnsley v HUDDERSFIELD TOWN – 11th January
Huddersfield Town striker Lewis O’Brien is the Sky Bet Championship Goal of the Month winner for January, receiving 47% of the public vote.
Timing is everything. O’Brien surged forward towards the penalty area just as the ball bounced out to him. Cue a connection so sweet, his shot was still rising as it struck the net.
O’Brien said: “I probably won’t hit a ball better than that again!
“As soon as I hit it, I knew it was in. From the angle that I hit it at, I knew it was going away from the goalkeeper. So as soon as it left my foot, I thought it was time to celebrate.
“To hit the ball as well as I did, for it to fly into the top corner, and to win this award, yeah, I’ll never forget that goal.”
Lead Sky Bet EFL Goal of the Month judge and Sky Sports Pundit Don Goodman said: “There’s no denying the defensive header could have been better from Barnsley, but no one could have expected they’d be made to pay in such clinical fashion, with a once in a lifetime strike from O’Brien.
“The timing was absolutely perfect as he met the bouncing ball with the sweetest connection which didn’t stop rising until it hit the back of the net.”
O’Brien beat off competition from Queens Park Rangers’ Bright Osayi-Samuel and Blackburn Rovers’ Adam Armstrong.
Lynden Gooch – MK Dons v SUNDERLAND AFC – 18th January
Sunderland AFC striker Lynden Gooch is the Sky Bet League One Goal of the Month winner for January, receiving 62% of the public vote.
Gooch was running away from goal when he added a slight arc to his path and wrapped his left foot round the ball in a flowing motion that sent it up and over Dons keeper Lee Nicholls.
Lead Sky Bet EFL Goal of the Month judge and Sky Sports Pundit Don Goodman said: “It looked like it was turning into “one of those afternoons” for Sunderland as chance after chance came and went as they chased a vital away win at Stadium MK.
“But when you have players with the quality of Lynden Gooch in your squad, there is always hope that they can pull something spectacular out of the bag every now and again, and his left footed curler after neat footwork was deserving enough to win any game.”
Gooch beat off competition from Lincoln City’s Jorge Grant and Fleetwood Town’s Lewie Coyle.
Wes McDonald – WALSALL v Crawley Town – 18th January
Walsall winger Wes McDonald is the Sky Bet League Two Goal of the Month winner for January, receiving 44% of the public vote.
With time running out, Walsall needed a hero. Step forward, McDonald, jinking in from the touchline with the ball tied to his feet to deliver a searing, looping winner in off the crossbar.
McDonald said: “I’m delighted to win the award and I’m thankful to everyone who voted for me, it’s a great feeling.
“I’ve been delighted with how it’s gone. I extended my stay here and I feel at home.
“I’ve been working on getting as many goals and assists as I possible so hopefully, I can get to the 10-goal mark.
“I’m enjoying my football and I want to crack on and continue getting points.”
Lead Sky Bet EFL Goal of the Month judge and Sky Sports Pundit Don Goodman said: “With the game appearing to be petering out to a 1-1 draw, Wes McDonald took matters into his own hands.