Brentford Striker Ashley Cheatley Nominated for FIFA's Marta Award
Ashley Cheatley, a striker for Brentford, showcased her remarkable skills by cushioning the ball with her right thigh, skillfully flicking it over a defender's head, and executing an audacious overhead kick that found the back of the net.
Known affectionately by fans as the 'Cheat Code,' Cheatley scored this stunning goal last November during the FA Cup first round, propelling the now fifth-tier Bees into the spotlight.
One year later, that goal has been shortlisted for FIFA's prestigious Marta Award, which honors the best goals in women's football.
Cheatley, 30, is in esteemed company, sharing the nomination with notable players such as Mariona Caldentey of Arsenal and Spain, Vivianne Miedema of Manchester City and the Netherlands, and Brazilian legend Marta, after whom the award is named.
Reflecting on her nomination, Cheatley remarked to BBC Sport, "These are proper footballers, and then you've got me, who just kicks the ball around on a Sunday for fun!"
Cheatley joined Brentford from Ashford Town ahead of the 2024-25 season, where she made a significant impact by scoring 46 goals across all competitions, helping the Bees secure promotion from the sixth-tier London & South East Regional Division 1 North.
Regarding her nominated goal, which opened the scoring in Brentford's FA Cup match against Ascot United, Cheatley described it as more instinctual than planned. "I didn't even think about it. It's the perfect touch, really, to kick it up in the air and get it past the defender. And then while my back's to goal, there's only one thing I can do from there," she explained.
Cheatley has attempted overhead kicks before, coming close during her time at Ashford Town when she hit the crossbar against title rivals Norwich City. However, this time her acrobatic effort was successful, aiding the Bees in their memorable journey to the third round of the FA Cup.
The winner of the Marta Award will be determined through a combination of fan voting and a panel of FIFA legends, with public voting closing on November 28.
Expressing her surprise at the nomination, Cheatley shared, "I was sitting in the bath when all these messages started coming through, and I thought, 'What is this?' I sent the image to my family group chat, but no one really reacted. So, I went downstairs and said, 'Have you just seen what has happened?' I still don't think I've accepted it. I was sitting in Tesco's car park earlier thinking, 'Is this real? What is going on?'"
Coming from a family of Brentford season-ticket holders, Cheatley has a unique connection to the club, as she can see the G-Tech Community Stadium from her home in west London. When she is not scoring goals, she also contributes by providing technical support for the club's online ticketing platform. "My life is basically Brentford, in a nutshell," she stated.
It feels surreal for Cheatley to see fans wearing jumpers emblazoned with her nickname, 'Cheat Code,' at Brentford matches. Now, with a world-class goal to her name, she is asked about her chances of winning the award. "Oh, I don't. I'm going to be real about it. And if I never score another wonder goal for the rest of my career, that's absolutely fine by me," she concluded.
