Acrobatic throw-in stuns goalkeeper

Football is known as the 'beautiful game', mainly for its silky skills, slalom runs and stunning goals – never for its lack-lustre throw-ins.

Until now that is.

University of Maine student Luke Sterling stunned rival team, Green Mountain College, when he scored directly from an acrobatic throw-in during a match in the US.

Not content with just using his hands to launch the ball from the sideline, the freshman performed a front-flip before sending it arcing high into the opponent's penalty box.

The ball missed everybody jostling in the square before sailing over the goalkeeper and nestling into the back of the net.

The bizarre strike helped University of Maine record an 8-1 victory.

However, Sterling told reporters after the match the he wouldn’t be writing home about the amazing feat, revealing it was a well-practiced secret weapon in his armoury.

"While I was growing up I started throwing it farther and farther back," Sterling said.

"I've been doing it for about eight years now."