Never underestimate the importance of a good goalkeeper. Fleetwood Town is thankful they have a goalie that could come up with not just the save of the match against Northampton Town in League One action over the weekend, but three successive saves of the match in just a couple seconds.

That’s right. In the soccer-equivalent of rapid-fire succession, Alex Cairns managed to make three quick saves to keep the ball out of the net, and he did so almost entirely on the ground after diving to make his initial save. Once on the ground, Northampton Town players attempted to knock in two quick rebounds past the netminder, only to be stuffed.

You have to see it to appreciate it. And the crowd reactions from the home fans in real time really drive the agony of the moment home.

I watched this video a good 12-15 times in the course of writing this, just because the fans are hilarious. That instant flip of the switch between excitement over a goal to the agony of realizing the goal was blocked and that sequence repeated twice more is flat out amazing. Who hasn’t been in a similar situation of thinking your team was about to score an easy goal, only to have that denied? Now, imagine having that denial handed to you three times within the span of two seconds.

That’s pretty rough. If only one of those kicks could have gotten a little more elevation and lobbed over the goalkeeper on the ground.

The saves proved to be critical for Fleetwood Town, as they went on to secure a 1-0 victory on the road and start their season with two wins in two matches.

[SB Nation]

About Kevin McGuire

Contributor to Athlon Sports and The Comeback. Previously contributed to NBCSports.com. Host of the Locked On Nittany Lions Podcast. FWAA member and Philadelphia-area resident.