Wembley hero Pigott fulfils childhood dream
Southend’s Play-Off Final saviour Joe Pigott admitted after the Shrimpers’ Wembley win that his last gasp strike which sent the game to spot kicks was beyond his wildest dreams.
The Essex outfit trailed 1-0 to Wycombe after Joe Jacobson’s 95th minute free-kick had cannoned in off unfortunate stopper Daniel Bentley and all looked lost as the clock ticked into injury time at the end of extra-time.
But second half substitute Pigott had other ideas and his calm touch and precise finish in the 122nd minute earned Southend an opportunity at penalties, one they duly took.
However, even after the post-match celebrations had died down a bit, the super sub was still in a state of shock.
“You dream as a kid of coming to Wembley and I have been here before eight times to watch games but never thought I’d score at Wembley,” he told WembleyStadium.com.
“The ball fell to me, I had to have a touch to settle it down and then I just struck it nicely with my left foot.
“After that it was just a rush of emotions and obviously it meant a lot given the circumstances so it was great.”
Following that goal Pigott’s next kick of the ball was to take and score the first penalty of the shoot-out.
And the forward says that he and the other Southend players were brimming with confidence after avoiding defeat in such dramatic circumstances.
“I didn’t mind taking the first penalty, obviously my confidence was sky high from scoring the goal,” he said.
“The momentum obviously turned as soon as I got the goal with 20 seconds to go and then it is straight into penalties so we knew we were ready.”
Pigott was, understandably, all smiles after the game but despite his significant contribution to the victory he was quick to point out that the day did not belong to him or his team-mates.
“It is up there with the best days of my life,” he said with a beaming grin.
“It is also a great day for Southend and the fans especially because they deserve it more than anyone.”