Dan Kemp has admitted his shock at seeing his long-range effort find the back of the net in West Ham United U23’s 5-2 victory over Swansea City.
The Hammers bested the Swans thanks to strikes from Kemp. Nathan Holland, Toni Martinez and Grady Diangana but it was the No7’s effort that earned gasps of awe from the supporters at the Chigwell Construction Stadium.
With the Irons leading 3-1 from the first-half Swansea goalkeeper Gregor Zabret found himself in no man’s land after clearing the ball, which fell straight to Kemp.
The 18-year-old showed incredible composure to then launch the ball over the shot-stopper and into the far corner of the net from around 40 yards.
As soon as the ball fell to me I didn’t have a second thought. I've never scored anything like that before! I'm just delighted that it went in.
Dan Kemp
Kemp has now confessed to never scoring a goal from such distance before but admits he was always going to take the shot once the chance presented itself.
“I knew the ‘keeper was out of his goal,” Kemp explained to whufc.com: “As soon as the ball fell to me I didn’t have a second thought. I just decided to have a go and I was buzzing when I saw it go in.
“I’ve never scored anything like that before! Certainly not from that range. I’m just delighted that it went in and I got to continue my goalscoring run. That’s three goals for me now and I’m thrilled.”
Kemp’s finish was the stand-out moment in an action-packed encounter on Sunday with seven goals between the two sides.
Terry Westley’s Hammers controlled the game for large portions and got their reward with five finishes, and Kemp has praised the manner of the victory.
He added: “All the lads are buzzing. It was a great win and it was a great performance to go with it as well. It’s so important to perform in this way. We’re so pleased.”
Kemp’s goal and an assist caps a brilliant week for the winger with the No7 also called up to play for the England U19s for matches against Poland and Germany at the start of September.
Kemp is hoping to carry his excellent West Ham United form onto the international stage next week.
“To score such a goal and get an assist sends me away for international duty on a high. Winning with the team in this way gives me a lot of confidence and I can’t wait to meet up with the England boys and hopefully get some good wins with them as well.”