BORDON man Roger Sansom scored a golden goal when he applied for a new bank card.

For although he was refused the card, his application won him the prize of a lifetime, which will see him jetting to Japan to see the most eagerly anticipated football match of the year - EnglandÕs World Cup match against Argentina.

In addition he will be getting five star treatment at a top Japanese hotel and all expenses paid.

The win is a real change of luck for Roger, who is still recovering from a serious back injury resulting from an accident earlier this year.

His fortunes began to change when he fancied a keyring that he noticed at an advisorÕs desk in the Petersfield branch of Barclays.

He applied for the Barclaycard that went with it, without realising that he could be in with a chance of winning coveted tickets for EnglandÕs World Cup match.

When he received the letter saying he had won two nightsÕ accommodation and two tickets for the big match, he was as surprised as anyone, as he did not realise that he had entered the draw, especially as he had been turned down for the card itself.

It is not the first time Roger has had a lucky surprise. He has also won just over £3,000 with two lucky dip lottery tickets.

But recently his luck has been out as a motorcycle crash left him with a broken back. Still recovering from the accident the news of a luxury trip to Japan has been welcome.

ÒI like travelling, but IÕve never been that far away. IÕve never been on a plane and IÕve never been to a football match,Ó said Mr Sansom (36), of Ashmead Road, who is a door fabricator at Total Profiles.

ÒThis is a once in a lifetime chance and what a match to go to!Ó

Though he has been offered £1,500 each for the tickets, he has promised to take his workmate David Stanley (46), who is a youth football coach.

Mr Sansom has not been moved by the World Cup hype and is more a fan of motor racing, though he does reckon England are in with a chance of winning the match, if not the tournament.

Mr Sansom heads out for the land of the rising sun on June 5 from Heathrow to Sapporo, North Japan, where he and his workmate will enjoy two nightsÕ all-inclusive accommodation.

Customer banker Maria Straw, who encouraged Mr Sansom to apply for the card in order for him to receive the keyring, said she was Òreally pleased for himÓ.