Five very short words to send a chill down any snapper's spine: "Did you get the goal?"

I've covered a fair few matches involving Romford Football Club this season and I've been asked this very question on numerous occasions!

"Did you get the goal?" Romford's first competitive match of the season was a momentous one. Having watched their team win promotion to the Ryman League Division One North, Boro fans travelled in goodly numbers to Theobalds Lane to watch their team's first outing at the new level.

The first goal of the campaign arrived courtesy of Paul Kavanagh who scored with his left foot from close range. From my position, this lined up reasonably well with scorer, goalkeeper and ball all present and correct in the frame. So, yep, I reckon I 'got' this one...



"Did you get the goal?" Jimmy Noakes gave Boro a 2-1 lead shortly after half-time. Fortunately the key moment happened pretty much right in front of me as Noakes fired a snap shot on the turn into the net.

In these situations, it's quite easy to end up with no ball in the frame - it's only there for a split second. Fortunately I'd woken up from my half-time slumbers and managed to squeeze the shutter at the opportune moment...



"Did you get the goal?" This time round, the answer was very nearly a resounding "No!"

The ball was cleared to the edge of the penalty area and Danny Jones fired his shot through a crowd of players. I was slow to react and struggled to get a clear view of Jones with the handheld camera. Instinctively I felt that a goal was coming so I held down the shutter button regardless. This, in turn, triggered the remote camera lurking behind the goal. Here's the result - a view of what turned out to be the match-winning strike. Only you can decide if I actually 'got' it though...



"Did you get the goal?" This time, "Yes, twice!"

Boro's second match on the 2009/10 FA Cup trail brought Concord Rangers to Mill Field in the 1st Qualifying Round. The homesters fell a goal behind but Jimmy Noakes took the tie to a replay with a beautifully struck, right foot volley. Here's the view from the handheld camera. If you look closely, you can see my fellow snapper, Tony Fowles of the Essex Enquirer, in the background...



...and here's the same moment in time from the remote device behind the goal net. Doubly bubbly...



"Did you get the goal?" You do need luck in this game. You need to have a clear view of the scorer and a little bit of time to anticipate what is about to happen.

So, which side of the goal to sit? It can be an arbitrary decision, a real 50/50 shout. Sometimes the direction of the light and what's in the background influence the choice. No room for a remote camera behind the goal at Leyton's hemmed in Hare & Hounds home - so no second chances!

Sometimes fortune smiles on the lonely snapper. Paul Burnett's bullet header opened Boro's account...



"Did you get the goal?" At least with a penalty, you know where the shot is coming from! Photographing the dead ball kick from 12 yards just comes down to timing. Snap too early and the player hasn't struck the ball. The image just doesn't look quite right. Press too late and the ball is long gone. I should have moved a yard or two to improve the background in this one but I guess the ball is just about in the optimum position as Paul Kavanagh makes it 2-0...



"Did you get the goal?" It's peachy when the onion bag bulges as it receives the ball.

Martin Heed headed Romford's third unanswered goal at Leyton from very close range and, luckily for me, he was on the 'right' side of the goal. Had I been on the other side of the net, this may not have made much of a pic...



"Did you get the goal?" Here's a trio of examples of where it all went (very) wrong!

Jerry Lyons scored Boro's equalising goal when he pounced on a loose ball during a home friendly match with Thurrock. It would have made a nice image... had I been sitting five yards closer to the goal post. Doh!...



Paul Clayton scored a memorable winning goal away at Maldon Town back in late August. It was the only goal of the game. I struggled to locate Clayton through the goalmouth mêlée (you can just about make out his captain's armband). Sigh...



Aaaaaargh! Fortunately for me, this Chris Thomas effort only turned out to be a consolation goal against Ware, but my timing was way off as you can see. Just the merest hint of ball remains...



"Did you get the goal?" I'll finish with a couple that did line up sweetly.

Romford romped to a 4-1 win away win at Waltham Forest last Saturday. Kurt Smith bagged half the visitors' goals and his second strike made for a particularly satisfying snap. The goaly trinity of goalscorer, ball and goalkeeper all making an appearance...



"Did you get the goal?" Ditto the fourth and final Boro strike. Chris Thomas drives the ball past the Stags goalie. It's also quite handy that there are a few travelling supporters on the terrace in the background...



For those that would like to see a few more images of Romford FC's progress this season, click HERE.

For more information on Romford FC, visit their website at http://www.romfordfc.com/ and their new Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=287382147814&ref=ts

I just can't wait for the next time I hear those words: "Did you get the goal?" ... or maybe I can! ;-)

Labels: Boro, Goal, Goals, Images, Isthmian, Remote, Romford, Score