UNDER 17’s CLINCH THE LEAGUE IN DRAMATIC FINALE
After 8 months of league fixtures, it all came down to the last Sunday and a double header against AFC Walcountians. Our Under 17’s had been magnificent all season, losing only one fixture when a series of injuries left us with no central defenders. The boys had always turned up and delivered when required scoring late goals on a number of occasions to clinch the points. We were top going into the double header and needed a minimum of 4 points to win the league. Wandgas & Colliers Wood were sat just behind us waiting to pounce if we slipped up.
Walcountians were the form team in the league having lost narrowly in the semi finals of the cup and were on a long unbeaten run in the league. Their defensive record was the best in the league. We took a big squad to the game and Hatch got the boys ready. Double headers are tough to win and you really cannot afford to go a goal down. The game was scrappy but Sheen played the better football and created the best chances but the goal just wouldn’t come. The second half was more of the same and the game looked to be heading for a draw. In the end it was a bit of industrial football that sealed the points. George A hurled a long throw into the box, Felix flicked it on and Adam headed in at the far post. The last ten minutes were nervy and Finn had to produce a brilliant save but the points were ours. Part one completed.
The second double header could not have been more different. Walcountians dominated and created the best chances. We just couldn’t get going. They scored a scrappy goal and celebrated as though they had won the league. Hatch made changes. Lots of them. Ten minutes to go and we seemed to be playing a 2-3-5 formation. It was frantic. There were a lot of near misses and goalmouth scrambles but we just couldn’t get the goal. We moved into added time. Two of them as the Ref pointed out. We needed some magic.
A corner was headed back out to Adam on the right. He hooked a cross to the edge of the box where George A leapt and headed the ball towards the goal. It was going over until the last seconds when it dipped just under the bar into the top corner. Wow!. The players and subs went wild. The celebrations were incredible. We had done it! The last play of the season saw us get the point that won us the league.
Congratulations to a brilliant group of boys who have trained hard, played harder and supported each other throughout the season. A fitting end. Sheen Lions Under 17’s. CHAMPIONS.
Cheers
Mel
