You've got to hand it to Samantha Knight.

For if anyone answered the demand 'can you kick it?' it was the 12-year-old with an unequivocal 'yes she can'.

Sure-shot Sam was the toast of Heworth girls' football team with a mighty Knight effort in a recent clash against Dunnington boys.

Although a reluctant goalkeeper, she was in number one heaven after netting the rare distinction of hitting the target as a custodian - and not from the penalty spot either.

Her fantastic feat was achieved with a clearance from her own area, the ball taking one bounce before it cleared the head of her opposite number to put the final flourish on a 6-3 victory - and this after the Heworth lasses had trailed 2-0.

The Fulford School pupil, whose football passion is Newcastle United - spearheaded strikingly by her hero Alan Shearer - much prefers to play in the heart of midfield or up front.

But injury to Heworth's normal first-choice goalkeeper forced a switch earlier this season in which Sam donned gloves and number one jersey.

But while she does not relish standing between the posts she admitted to being 'thrilled' by her spectacular festive hit.

"The ball came back to me and my friend Katie Milne said 'give it a good kick'," recalled Sam, who lives in Wheldrake.

"I hit the ball and asked 'is that all right?'. She then turned around, ran back and hugged me. The rest of the team also joined in.

"It felt quite good to know I had scored a goal from so far out."

Heworth girls are on the lookout for more players aged between eight and 14. For details contact manager Sue Wilkinson tel (York) 01904 416144.

Updated: 12:04 Wednesday, January 03, 2001