SOME fine goals, weren’t there, last Saturday?

The win against Port Vale not only continued our high-scoring run against the Burslem team, but brought us contenders for goal of the season.

The one which caught the eye the most was Nathan Byrne’s fantastic curling effort.

It was a great piece of skill which makes you want to watch it over and over again.

It also reminded me of one of the greatest no-goals that was ever scored at the County Ground.

Like Nathan’s it came on a November Saturday - the 29th of the month in 1980.

It was scored by a player of the tender age of 16 who was destined to go on and head the winner in the cup final 15 years later.

Paul Rideout was one of Swindon’s best ever young players, in fact you could argue he was THE best.

Already a headline-grabber with England schoolboys after a hat-trick in international colours, he was handed his Town debut against Hull City.

If you remember that day you’ll know he scored with a header in a three-one win. You might also remember he should have scored two.

It was a shot from the far edge of the penalty area, from a similar distance to Byrne’s.

It had bend and it had power.

It smacked against the Town End goal frame before nestling in the net.

There was bedlam. Then there was disbelief.

The goal was ruled out because David Peach was deemed to have been offside while stood on the far touchline.

What would have been a great moment, denied.

That wouldn’t stop Rideout’s great day, though, as he later slammed a close-range header into the same net.

Paul returned to Swindon for a brief spell under Glenn Hoddle before claiming his place in history with the Wembley winner for Everton against Manchester United.

How appropriate in this FA Cup week.

If you were there at the County Ground that dark cold day 33 years ago, you’ll remember the goal that never was.

Brilliant but ruled out. I bet Paul remembers it.