Non-league player tops FA Cup goal table over Haaland

A Biggleswade striker said he was looking forward to attending the FA cup final

A non-league footballer is currently on track to receive an award for being the highest goal scorer of the FA Cup.

JJ Lacey, who plays for Bedfordshire side Biggleswade Town, scored a total of 10 goals across the competition.

Biggleswade Town played six games before they were knocked out of the competition in the fourth qualifying round.

The striker will pick up the Golden Ball trophy during the FA cup final between Manchester City and Manchester United at Wembley on 25 May, unless City player Erling Haaland scores six goals in the game and overtakes him on the table.

JJ Lacey joined Biggleswade FC in 2023

Lacey, whose first name is Jonathan, said he was unaware of the award until he scored a hat-trick against Bishops Stortford FC in September.

About competing with Haaland he said: "As it's gone along it's gotten a bit more jokey seeing his name appear.

"He was the one I was worried about at the start, when it got to the third round.

"Then he missed a few games, so I felt a bit more comfortable and then he scored five against Luton so that made it all the more nerve wracking, but we're all good now."

Erling Haaland scored all five of his FA Cup goals against Luton Town

Lacey has exclusively played for Sunday and Non-league clubs across his career.

At the start, he played for Harpenden Colts before moving on to Berkhamsted FC and then Hemel Hempstead Town.

The striker said he enjoyed playing at that level as "it's raw, not the prettiest at times, but it's football."

While excited to attend the FA Cup final as a "nice day out" he was not hopeful it would boost his career.

He said: "I feel like that's sort of gone, I'm not 21 anymore... I'm quite content playing down at these levels."

Biggleswade Town manager, Danny Payne, added: "JJ has been exceptional this season.

"It's a brilliant experience for him, brilliant for his family and brilliant for the football club that we've got him there representing us on the day"

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