Former Carlisle United forward Harry McKirdy took centre stage for Swindon Town last night in their FA Cup-tie with Manchester City.
Although well beaten 4-1 in the end, McKirdy’s goal in front of a live TV audience after 78 minutes briefly pulled it back to 3-1.
He said after: “It was a great feeling to score against a team like City in front of a packed home crowd. The goal might have sparked a comeback but the fact we scored against a top team delighted everyone.”
The 24-year old McKirdy spent the 2019/20 season with Carlisle, playing 28 times – the most he has played anywhere in his career – and scored five goal.
Something of a maverick, with a love-hate relationship with the United fans, McKirdy spent last season with Port Vale – eight games, no goals – before moving to Swindon in the summer.
So far he has played 16 games for the Robins and last night’s effort against City was his tenth of the season. Last Saturday he grabbed four in Swindon’s 5-2 win over Northampton.
London-born McKirdy spent his youth career with Stoke City and Aston Villa, later having loan spells at Stevenage, Crewe and Newport County.
Former Carlisle United manager Steve Pressley said of McKirdy during his time at Brunton Park: “He takes a bit of managing but he’s a good kid underneath that.”
McKirdy’s goals have pushed Swindon into promotion contention from Division Two as they currently sit fifth, two points off an automatic promotion place.
