The January nominations for the Sky Bet Championship Goal of the Month Award are:
Ollie Rathbone – ROTHERHAM UNITED v Blackburn Rovers – 14th January
But for goal-line technology, Rathbone’s stunning 20-yard piledriver which crashed against the bar and bounced down over the line would have been noteworthy as a spectacular near-miss.
Jeff Hendrick – READING v Queens Park Rangers – 14th January
It is hard enough to beat a Championship keeper with a swerving rising shot from 30 yards, but Hendrick managed it with a perfectly struck grasscutter that fizzed into the bottom corner.
Scott Twine – BURNLEY v West Bromwich Albion – 20th January
Cruelly hampered by injuries this season, Twine reminded us of his prowess from free-kicks by majestically curling this effort swiftly up and over the West Brom wall with minimal back-lift.
Gustavo Hamer – COVENTRY CITY v Huddersfield Town – 28th January
Hamer took 10 touches in a run which saw him twist and turn, play a one-two with Viktor Gyokeres, waltz past four Huddersfield defenders and finally curl his shot into the far corner.
The January nominations for the Sky Bet League One Goal of the Month Award are:
Will Vaulks – Wycombe Wanderers v SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY – 14th January
Vaulks is no stranger to spectacular strikes and equally impressive celebrations. What stood out with this one was the ball’s constant trajectory, still rising as it flew into the top corner.
Max Bird – Cheltenham Town v DERBY COUNTY – 14th January
Striding onto a bouncing clearance 35 yards out, Bird controlled it neatly and had no other thought in his mind than driving it into the top corner with an unerring swish of his left boot.
James Norwood – BARNSLEY v Accrington Stanley – 21st January
As the ball dropped towards him with his back to goal, Norwood sized up the possibility of a bicycle kick, glancing around before launching himself into the air and connecting sweetly.
Aaron Morley – Charlton Athletic v BOLTON WANDERERS – 28th January
Some free-kicks are simply unstoppable, no matter how far out they are. Morley imparted the perfect combination of pace, curl and accuracy on the ball which clipped the inside of the post.
The January nominations for the Sky Bet League Two Goal of the Month Award are:
Conor McAleny – Bradford City v SALFORD CITY – 1st January
As if his judgement of the ball as it flicked off a head into the air and subsequent adjustment of his feet weren’t impressive enough, McAleny then connected perfectly with his rising volley.
Charlie Colkett – CREWE ALEXANDRA v Tranmere Rovers – 1st January
The former FA Youth Cup-winning captain at Chelsea demonstrated his talent is still there by chesting the ball down and connecting with a 25-yarder that dipped viciously under the bar.
George Thomson – Hartlepool United v HARROGATE TOWN – 1st January
Thomson had the final say in a 3-3 New Year’s Day classic by rounding on the ball following a corner and powering home a shot whose height barely changed before it found the far corner.
Theo Archibald – LEYTON ORIENT v Doncaster Rovers – 7th January
The danger looked to have passed as the ball eventually dropped to Archibald 25 yards out. Not so. His right foot cushioned it before his left immaculately timed a wickedly dipping volley.
