Report

A fine evening and a great turn out to watch the last match of the season and such a crucial one. If the boys won they would be Division 2 champions so a lot of nerves in the crowd. Although we had played Shireway Rangers a few weeks before they were certainly not about to roll over and hand us the title.

What a great start to the match within two minutes the boys were a goal to the good. A lovely pass by Ben picked up by Lewis who made a cracking shot outside the box which flew through the defence into the back of the net. The next 10 minutes the match was pretty even with no team getting a shot on goal, even with Clev working the left wing there was nothing doing. Hanham picked up the tempo and a header from defender Matt J picked up by Elliot sent onto to Ben who set up Nick, he controlled the ball and made a great shot but it was just wide. Chris made a run sent the ball out to Lewis who flicked it onto Matt F he took a shot but it was saved by the keeper. Shireway made a break and at 1-0 the crowd watched open mouthed but the Hawks defence remained solid. Harry was next to take a shot at the Shireway keeper, it was a powerful one to, but it went wide. Keeper Alex was called into action moments later as Shireway made a great shot but Alex made a diving save and the score remained 1-0. In the run up to half time there were shots from Zach and Harry which produced oohs and aahs for the spectators but still no goal.

The second half saw Shireway start the more eager to attack and Elliot was called into action, and even while on the floor surrounded by two attackers he did not give up the ball and managed to play it out to stop their attack. Zach managed to win a corner for the team after some persistent play in the box. Nick took the corner and George made a great header which was somehow kept out of the goal net. There was some lovely link up play between Olly, Lewis and Harry but again the shot on goal did not find the net. With everyone on the edge of their seat as the match was still finely balanced a strange thing happened. Matt F was chasing down the ball and the Shireway keeper came to collect it, or so Matt thought but instead he chose to boot it out of the box, Matt turned and the ball hit his back and rebounded into the net from the edge of the box. That has to be the strangest goal this season but with numerous shots not going in the boys were elated as the match was now 2-0. However, this was short lived as the boys thought they had it in the bag and took their foot off the gas and Shireway struck straight back to make it 2-1. This seem to unsettle the boys who must have been feeling the nerves as well knowing what was at stake. They soon regained control and Christian made a solo run passed the defence right into the box almost in front of goal, slotted it onto Lewis who tucked it away to make it 3-1. The boys were overjoyed and so was the crowd they had a 2 goal cushion as nothing but a win would do to clinch the title. There was still a good 10 minutes to go and the defence still had a job to do and with Ben using his strength, Matt J throwing himself in front of the ball, Mitch constantly running and collecting the ball, Elliot working his magic, Jordan and Olly covering the left Shireway were unable to score again.

The ref blew the whistle and there were cheers and hugs all round. Thanks to the opposition who also did three cheers for the Division 2 champions. Dave made a great speech after the game and it was lovely to watch the boys, Dave, Jeff and Mark celebrating, glad to say they did not spray the parents. With the clubhouse being opened especially for the evening, thanks for that, everyone enjoyed a chat and a beer.

It should not be underestimated what you have achieved as a team previously winning Division 3, newly promoted and then to go on and win that Division is a great achievement. Division 1 will be a huge challenge for you all but if you embrace it in your usual manner and keep up your fitness levels during the summer, just go out and enjoy it.

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