Imagine scoring a goal so incredible, so unexpected, it lands you a nomination alongside football legends! That's exactly what happened to Ashley Cheatley, a striker for Brentford's women's team. But here's the kicker: she plays in the fifth tier of English football.
Flora Snelson, a BBC Sport Journalist, reported on this incredible underdog story.
Cheatley's goal, a moment of pure magic against Ascot United in the FA Cup, has earned her a nomination for FIFA's Marta Award, which celebrates the best goals in women's football. Think about that for a moment: a player from the fifth tier, recognized on a global stage alongside giants like Marta (the award's namesake), Vivianne Miedema of the Netherlands and Arsenal fame, and Spain's Mariona Caldentey. It's the kind of story that makes you believe anything is possible.
"These are like proper footballers," Cheatley humbly told BBC Sport, adding, "And then you've got me, who just kicks the ball around on a Sunday for fun!" This self-deprecating humor only adds to the charm of this unexpected nomination.
Cheatley's journey to this point is one of dedication and passion. She joined Brentford from Ashford Town and last season bagged an impressive 46 goals, helping the Bees climb up from the sixth-tier London & South East Regional Division 1 North. But this FA Cup goal? It was different.
She describes it as pure instinct. Receiving the ball, she flicked it over a defender's head before unleashing an audacious overhead kick that found the back of the net. "I didn't even think about it," she explained. "It's the perfect touch, really, to kick it up in the air and get it past the defender. And then while my back's to goal, there's only one thing I can do from there."
The goal propelled Brentford on a fantastic FA Cup run, eventually reaching the third round. What makes this even more special is that it wasn't a fluke. Cheatley had attempted similar overhead kicks before, even hitting the bar for her former club, Ashford Town, against Norwich City. This time, however, everything aligned perfectly.
The winner of the Marta Award will be decided by a combination of a fan vote and a panel of 'FIFA legends'. Voting closes on November 28th, so there's still time to support Cheatley!
But here's where it gets controversial... Does a goal scored in a lower league deserve the same recognition as one scored in a top-flight game? Some might argue that the level of competition matters, while others will say that brilliance is brilliance, regardless of where it happens. Let us know what you think!
Cheatley's reaction to the nomination was priceless. "I was sitting in the bath and all these messages were coming through and I'm like, 'what is this?'" she recounted. The disbelief continued as she shared the news with her family. "I still don't think I've accepted it. I was sat in Tesco earlier in the car park thinking 'is this real? What is going on?'"
What truly sets Cheatley apart is her deep connection to Brentford. From a family of season-ticket holders, she can see the G-Tech Community Stadium from her home. And when she's not scoring goals, she's part of the team providing technical support for the club's online ticketing platform. "My life is basically Brentford, in a nutshell," she said.
It's a surreal experience for her to see fans wearing jumpers emblazoned with her nickname, 'Cheat Code'. And now, with a world-class goal to her name, does she believe she has a chance of winning the award?
"Oh, I don't. I'm going to be real about it," she admitted. "And if I was to never score another wonder goal ever for the rest of my career, that's absolutely fine by me."
But that raises another question: Is Cheatley being too humble? Should she embrace the recognition and believe in her chances, or is her down-to-earth attitude part of what makes this story so special? Could this nomination inspire a new generation of players in lower leagues to dream big and strive for the impossible? What are your thoughts? Share your opinions in the comments below!
