Cyberman Essandoh hits the net

No virtual reality for Essandoh

The internet has an answer for many things. A cheaper car, a last-minute flight, or a match-winning super-hero.

As Lawrie Sanchez's Second Division underdogs Wycombe Wanderers made their way to Filbert St for their FA cup quarter-final, they had little idea of the power of the net.

Last week, with a team severely depleted through injury, Sanchez posted a 'striker wanted' notice on the team's website.

A journalist from BBC's television text service Ceefax was alerted to the vacancy and published a story about Wycombe's plight.

Cue the agent for one Roy Essandoh, a 25-year-old unemployed footballer somewhere in Finland.

Essandoh: Up, up and away...

The agent saw the Ceefax story and immediately phoned the Wanderers' boss to offer his client's services.

Sanchez provisionally signed him up, and the rest, as they say...

So who is the mystery cyberman, Roy Essandoh?

Born in Belfast and brought up in Ghana, Essandoh started his playing career with Cumbernauld United in the Scottish central league, at the age of 16.

After a slow-burning start it was not long before he made his way to East Fife and Motherwell, ending up at VPS Vaasa in Finland, where he has been for the last two years, scoring nine goals in the last season.

But when Vaasa's money ran out it was time to move on, and after two free games with Rushden and Diamonds last month, the phone rang.

I don't believe this - it's awesome

  Roy Essandoh

After being offered a two-week contract Essandoh agreed to join the potential giant-killers, and without even attending training, was brought on twice as subsitute for Wycombe in the last week.

But in the dying moments of the match against Leicester, in came the cross.

"Next thing I know, the ball's right in front of me," he said.

Essandoh leapt above the rest to power home the winning header in the dying seconds.

And with that injury-time goal, Leicester's FA Cup dreams were shattered.

"I thought 'I don't believe this - it's awesome'", Essandoh added.

"I'm still thinking about this goal," he said after the match, still rather dazed at the enormity of his achievement.

Hot property

His contract does not even extend to the FA Cup semi-finals, but he may just scrape a place.

"Whatever happens, I'd be happy to stay here," Essandoh said.

He arrived in England just two weeks ago, and does not even know the names of all his team-mates.

But what better way to experience first-hand the romance and unpredictability of the FA Cup?

"Crazy, isn't it?, " he grinned.