Now This is How You Launch a Top-Shelf Rocket

Rochdale AFC might be lingering at mid-table in the third-tier League One, but Nathaniel Mendez-Laing certainly wanted to elevate your opinion of them with this absolute screamer of a golazo—and with a heartfelt dedication at that. During Rochdale's (or just Dale's) match against Gillingham today, Mendez-Laing shook his defender loose with a deft cut, leaving him with possession at the top of the box. But instead of finding help inside, he just went for goal, and couldn't have placed it any better. Perfect corner. He also dedicated the goal to his teammate Joe Thompson, who was recently diagnosed with cancer. Couldn't have been a nicer goal to put up as tribute. (Thompson later retweeted out a video of the goal in a clear moment of appreciation.)

[Courtesy of Football On 5]