The Sky Bet EFL Goal of the Month winners for October 2020 have been confirmed!
Alex Mowatt – Millwall v BARNSLEY – 24 October
Barnsley midfielder Alex Mowatt is the Sky Bet Championship Goal of the Month winner for October, receiving 47% of the public vote.
As Mowatt rushed forward, a headed clearance bounced towards him. Without breaking his stride, he allowed the ball to roll off his body and caught it with a stunning left-foot volley.
Mowatt said: “I’m really happy to receive the Goal of the Month award. We ended October in strong fashion and of course, it’s great to have contributed to the team with decent performances and a few goals.
“To be honest, I thought my strike against Watford a week later was the better of the two, but either way, I’ll take the trophy!”
Lead Sky Bet EFL Goal of the Month judge and Sky Sports Pundit Don Goodman said: “When the ball landed in Alex Mowatt’s path after an unconvincing clearance, there was still lots of work to be done.
“There are two really impressive aspects to this goal starting with the perfect chest control to take the ball onto his stronger left foot and away from defenders who want to close him down and then the perfect strike that requires balance and technique.
“The Barnsley midfielder has made a habit of scoring spectacular goals throughout his EFL career, and this beauty in the opening minutes against Millwall must be up there with the finest in his collection.”
Mowatt beat off competition from Preston North End’s Jayden Stockley and Reading’s Yakou Meite.
Marcus Harness – Burton Albion v PORTSMOUTH – 3 October
Portsmouth winger Marcus Harness is the Sky Bet League One Goal of the Month winner for October, receiving 49% of the public vote.
Having already scored two beauties, Harness topped them both to clinch his hat-trick. A crafty backheel sent the ball into space before he lifted a deft clip into the far bottom corner.
Harness said: “I’m delighted to win this award and would like to thank everyone who voted for me.
“It was a great feeling to score my first hat-trick for Pompey and I was particularly pleased with that third goal.
“More importantly, it helped us secure an important victory and our away form since that day has been excellent.”
Lead Sky Bet EFL Goal of the Month judge and Sky Sports Pundit Don Goodman said: “Sometimes the most intricate touches create the greatest goals. The way Marcus Harness disposed of his marker was impressive enough, but the finish that followed was nothing short of sublime.
“The deft touch to lob the keeper was of the highest quality, creating a goal more than worthy of securing three points for Pompey, and Goal of the Month recognition.”Harness beat off competition from Fleetwood Town’s Callum Camps and Doncaster Rovers’ Ben Whiteman.
Scott Twine – Cambridge United v NEWPORT COUNTY – 10 October
Newport County forward Scott Twine is the Sky Bet League Two Goal of the Month winner for October, receiving 44% of the public vote.
Twine had thoughts of passing the ball on when he skipped away from a challenge in midfield. That was until he saw the opportunity to strike a searing 25-yard shot in off the bar.
Twine said: ““It was a very good month and to finish it at the top of the league is great for the club. It was great for me personally to grab a couple of goals and win the award too.
“It wasn’t the best of games. We were 2-0 down at the time and struggling to have many shots on goal, so I had a half of a yard and I thought ‘I’m going to hit’, and luckily it went in.
"It came off my foot nicely and then the underside of the bar, so I couldn’t have caught it any better. It was a shame that we didn’t get anything from the game because it meant the goal was unimportant in a way. At the end of the day, we play to get points and win games, but we didn’t do that.
"When Cristiano Ronaldo was at Manchester United, I watched him every week and he was my idol - he still is now. I watched how he use to take free-kicks, how he shot and how he moved the ball in different directions. I always wanted to do that, so as a kid I used to practice in the garden or in school with my mates. I’ve changed things slightly to make it better for me, but I’ve still got to improve that. I still practice my technique in training most days. I want to keep improving my technique until it’s the best that it can be.”
Lead Sky Bet EFL Goal of the Month judge and Sky Sports Pundit Don Goodman said: “Whilst Cambridge’s Paul Mullin snatched the headlines in this game for his double, it was undoubtedly Scott Twine who produced the moment of the match.
“A drop of the shoulder to beat his man initially 40 yards from goal, he was then allowed to advance and manipulate the ball onto his right foot and that was Cambridge’s big mistake.
“They paid the price as he produced a wonderful strike from deep. It wasn’t enough to claim a point for Newport, but a goal of such brilliance deserves immense credit regardless.”
Twine beat off competition from Oldham Athletic’s Zak Dearnley and Walsall’s George Nurse.