The February winners of the Sky Bet EFL Goal of the Month Award are:
Sky Bet Championship
Joe Rothwell – SOUTHAMPTON v Huddersfield Town – 10th February
Southampton midfielder Joe Rothwell is the Sky Bet Championship Goal of the Month winner for February.
One of the marks of a perfectly timed shot is its lack of deviation. With the ball height adding to the degree of difficulty for Rothwell, his thigh-high, controlled volley was simply stunning.
Rothwell said: "Firstly, a massive thank you to everyone who voted for me for this award. It was a special goal for me personally, with it being my first for Southampton and most importantly helping the team to come from behind to win also.
"In regard to the goal itself, as soon as I hit it I knew it had a real chance of going in.
"It was a crazy game and a huge result for the team that day. I think it just shows the character that’s in this group. We knew even at 2-0 down we always had a chance as long as we got the next goal.”
Rothwell beat off competition from Cardiff City’s Josh Bowler, Plymouth Argyle’s Ryan Hardie, and Watford’s Yaser Asprilla.
Sky Bet League One
Paris Maghoma – BOLTON WANDERERS v Charlton Athletic – 17th February
Bolton Wanderers midfielder Paris Maghoma is the Sky Bet League One Goal of the Month winner for February.
Maghoma changed direction five times as he searched for a way to prise open the Charlton defence. After finding he couldn’t go through it, he went over with a sublime clipped curler.
Maghoma said: “I wanted to score more goals this season and playing in this team has given me lots of opportunities.
“This one has probably been the best of them, and I’m delighted it was chosen to win the award.
“I’d like to thank the judges and the fans who voted for it and hopefully there are still one or two more goals to come this season to help us win the games we need to secure promotion.”
Maghoma beat off competition from Reading’s Femi Azeez, Shrewsbury Town’s Jordan Shipley, and Wycombe Wanderers’ Beryly Lubala.
Sky Bet League Two
Cole Stockton – BARROW v Forest Green Rovers – 13th February
Barrow forward Cole Stockton is the Sky Bet League Two Goal of the Month winner for February.
One of Stockton’s talents is the speed at which he processes a mental picture. As an errant pass rolled towards him, the striker sized up the situation and powered home a 30-yard lob.
Stockton said: “It’s always nice to be recognised and to score a goal. I know it was in a game which we were expected to win and didn’t but that’s football however, on a personal note it’s always nice to score a goal especially when it’s a good one like this.”
“Pretty much as soon as I intercepted it my body shape was already facing the goal and the keeper was quite a bit off his line so I literally just thought I was going to have a go and worst case scenario a goal kick is given.”
Stockton beat off competition from Morecambe’s Jacob Davenport, Doncaster Rovers’ Luke Molyneux, and Notts County’s Dan Crowley.
