Charlie McNeill sent Crewe ahead in the FA Cup with a spectacular strike from the halfway line, just 12 minutes into the first-round tie at AFC Wimbledon.
The FA Cup first round has produced an early contender for goal of the competition. Crewe Alexandra forward Charlie McNeill let fly from the halfway line in the 12th minute against AFC Wimbledon, and the ball found the net to put his side in front.
It is the kind of moment the Cup is made for. A speculative effort from distance, the kind most players would never even attempt, turned into a tie-shaping opener before the contest had settled into a rhythm.
For Wimbledon, it was a harsh early setback. They had barely found their feet when they were forced to chase the game, and Crewe immediately had the platform to play with confidence.
Moments like this are why the first round never loses its charm. Lower-league sides, tight margins and one audacious swing of the boot can turn an ordinary afternoon into a clip that gets replayed all week. McNeill's strike is already a strong candidate for that treatment.
