OMG! What a Goal! Reading FC U-18s’ Liam Kelly conjures up free-kick genius

Beautiful free-kick goals from just outside the opposition’s penalty box happen fairly often in professional soccer.

But it’s not every day that you see set-piece strikes that feature not only outstanding technical ability but also imagination, daring AND careful practice on the training ground beforehand.

And it’s even more amazing when such a goal is conjured up by a 17-year-old academy player.

That’s exactly what Liam Kelly of Reading FC’s Under-18 team did in a recent 3-1 victory for the Royals over their counterparts from Bolton Wanderers (both clubs compete in the English second division).

The pint-sized 1995-born midfielder looks to have created the latest viral-goal-video phenomenon with a cheeky chip to himself to set up a viciously dipping volley into the far top corner of Bolton’s net.

Could Bolton’s goalkeeper have done anything more to stop it? Might his teammates have disrupted the magic by more aggressively charging the spot after the ball was touched into play?

We think not.

It’s got to be seen to be believed…