Josh March scores bizarre 'hide and seek' winner for Crewe vs Northampton
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KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Josh March caught Northampton Town goalkeeper Zach Jeacock off guard to score.
- Crewe beat Northampton 1-0 and made it three wins in a row.
- The unusual goal sparked debate over whether it should have stood.
The Crewe forward pulled off what could generously be described as a game of hide and seek in the 53rd minute, positioning himself beside and then behind the goal as Northampton prepared to restart from the back.
Even a Northampton player appeared to warn goalkeeper Zach Jeacock that March was lurking nearby.
Jeacock nevertheless put the ball down and looked ready to roll it out.
That was all the invitation March needed.
The forward suddenly emerged from behind the goal, raced towards the ball and tapped it into an empty net before Northampton could react.
Hide and seek with Josh March 🫣#CreweAlex pic.twitter.com/mKqQ9gTb0d
— Crewe Alexandra (@crewealexfc) August 22, 2026
Did Josh March's goal break the rules?
The goal was allowed to stand, but Northampton were understandably unhappy with how it came about.March had been behind the goal when Jeacock released the ball, leading to questions over whether the forward had deliberately left the field of play to gain an advantage.
Northampton boss Chris Hogg viewed the incident as a grey area in the laws.
Crewe manager Lee Bell, meanwhile, defended March's awareness whilst admitting he was not completely certain about the technical detail of the rule.
I think he's just bright. Josh, his momentum's taking him off the pitch and he's caught the goalkeeper out.Bell suggested March had gone off the pitch naturally rather than deliberately positioning himself there.
I think if you go off the pitch on purpose, then it's called off.Whatever the technical argument, the referee's decision stood and Crewe left with all three points.
I'm not sure about the rule. But I believe if you go off the pitch naturally and then you re-enter it in that manner, it's okay.
Bell more interested in the result than the controversy
Bell acknowledged just how unusual the winning goal was but was far more interested in the fact that his side had continued to win.As long as you're winning them, that's all that matters.The goal may have been bizarre, but the result was anything but unwanted.
March's clever trick gave Crewe another three points, whilst Northampton were left wondering how a routine attempt to play out from the back had turned into one of the most memorable goals of the early League Two season.
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