Scorers: J.Dudmish, Lefever-Jones
After a two week break since our thrashing at old parks, which effectively ended our hopes of a title, came old Finchleans. Going into this game the 7s could cement 2nd place and seal promotion. There was a eagerness within the team to do so, with a game remaining, but we also knew what a challenge they would be after our 2-2 draw with them earlier in the season. We lined up in our familiar 4-5-1 formation with a debut game in the 7s for keeper Conor. The game started with real intent from our lads, the midfield putting together some nice passes and through balls for Charlie to run onto up top. We should have had a goal within the first five minutes of play were it not for the brilliance of their keeper, who denied Charlie at close range. Our second chance fell to Lewis whose direct play allowed him control the left channel. A clever link up with Charlie again created enough space for him to test the keeper. Our dominance continued in the half until Will fumbled their winger in the box for a penalty! It looked as though what was supposed to be a day in which we clinched promotion we were to be disappointed. Up stepped the Finchleans skipper who placed his shot into the bottom left hand corner… But Conor denied him the goal with a fine save to keep the scores level! Matt cleared the rebound up field. This was a wake up call to us that it wasn’t going to be an easy ride. And wake up is exactly what we did, continued to play our game and control possession. Looking to release a winger or Charlie at the earliest chance. The next clear cut chance again came to Charlie, who brilliantly flicked the ball around a defender using the outside of his boot whilst having his back to goal, who then shot but denied by the Finchleans keeper once more.
At 0-0 half time came and with it the introduction of Harry Rodriques. Harry’s impact was immediate, running down the right channel at defenders and always offering an outlet. Our second half started as we finished the second, on top but unable to get past the Finchleans stopper who rolled back the years with some fine saves. It wasn’t until the 70minutes mark that the game changing moment came. J.Dudmish cutting in from the right hand side decided to take matters into his own hands, unleashing a beauty from all of 30 yards! Drilling the ball into the top left hand corner and not only beating the keeper but the full back who had positioned himself I’m the line. Definitely a contender for goal of the season! Although we had the finally got the goal we knew we needed another to be safe. We kept calm after our minute of celebrations and grabbed our second through Charlie who thoroughly deserved his goal as a reward of his tireless effort in the game. Stealing the ball from their defender and running through to have his first shot blocked but recovering to score the rebound. 2-0. We stayed firm for the remainder until the ref blew his whistle and we could celebrate! Promotion achieved!
A great result on the day and a great reward for a team performance which summed up the effort everyone has put in this season. A special mention to keeper Conor who had a fine game for us and saving the penalty. One game left to end the season on a high and then we can start the celebrations as we look forward to next seasons challenge!
MoM: J.Dudmish
