Report

ASTON 4 STRETFORD VICTORIA 3

Sunday morning 16 May, last match of the season. The Vics had only fourth place to play for. For Aston it was very different. They had to beat the Vics to gain 3 points to win the first division league title.

Not long before kick-off and the Vics were down to a bare 11. Remus in goal. Back four of Callum N, Diante, Jason W and Lee. Mid-field consisted of Danny Josh, Jack, Jonathan and Yousif. Up front Travaunghn.

Aston had a full squad and the backing of a large crowd of parents to shout them on to the win they wanted.

The pitch fell away from one goal mouth at a steep gradient before levelling off at the half way line and there was a strong wind blowing down the gradient. Luck was not with the Vics at the start, Aston won the toss and decided to kick down the hill with the wind at their backs.

After kick off the Vics defended manfully but could not seem to keep the ball up the hill in the Aston half for long. Whenever their goalkeeper had the ball, it was a long kick deep into the Vics half, putting the defence under pressure. Stalemate was held at nil â€" nil for the first 20 minutes of the half before Aston won a throw in close to the Vics goal. This was launched into the area causing confusion, which resulted in Aston getting their first goal.

At first the Vics heads did not go down, but they still found it hard to keep the ball in the Aston half. Running up hill against the wind made life hard. It was not long before yet another throw was awarded. The same player sent the ball flying into the Vics penalty area. The ball could not be cleared and again Aston scored. 2 â€" nil.

It was getting near half time now and the two Vics coaches, Steve & Craig, knew that if they could keep it at that score they stood a good chance of turning things around in the second half. But it was not to be. A long ball yet again, sent across the Vics box ended up in the back of the net. 3 â€" nil and the half time whistle went.

The Vics players were mostly disheartened, but they were told that with the wind and the hill in their favour they could still get something out of the game. All they had to do was believe. By this time Remiese and Aaron had arrived. Remiese replaced Lee for the start of the second half.

As was said the second half was different again. Whereas Aston had found the going easy in the first, it was their turn to struggle.

The Vics attacked with renewed vigour. Yousif made inroads down the right wing, cut inside the full back and shot across the goalkeeper. The ball curled into the back of the net. 3 â€" 1 and game on.

Danny and Yousif were replaced by Lee and Aaron and the fresh legs put more pressure on the creaking Aston defence. Once again, the Vics attacked down the right wing, this time it was Lee who smashed in a wicked dipping shot. The Aston goalkeeper parried the shot, which came out the Jonathan who calmly side footed the ball past the diving keeper. 3 â€" 2 and Aston were worried. Was the league title to slip away?

The game continued at a pace. The Vics holding more and more possession. Jack and Josh winning the mid field battle with Jonathan linking up play between the wingers and Travaughn. Remiese, Jason, Diante and Callum keeping their attack under control. Aston were now knocking in long balls trying to turn the Vics defence and with 15 minutes to go they were successful. A ball was dropped behind the Vics defence and only partially cleared. it fell to one of the Aston attackers who thundered it fully 25 yards into the top corner of the net. 4 â€" 2 to Aston.

This did not seem to bother the Vics. Travaughn was replaced by Yousif with Lee going to right back and Callum replaced by Danny. This put all the Vics strike players on the pitch and boy did they go for it.

The Aston players were now pinned back and defending with all they had. This pressure paid off when Yousif popped up in the goal area to send the ball into the net. 4 â€" 3 and to quote a phrase “squeaky bum time” for the Aston coaches and supporters.

Aaron came more and more into the game, running at the Aston defence. Jonathan hit a 25 yarder trying to catch their goalkeeper out but it went wide, but the best chance fell to Yousif. Jonathan linked up with Remiese down the left wing, took the ball to the by-line and crossed. Yousif darted for the near post and skimmed the upright with the ball. Only problem was it was the wrong side.

Time ran out and Aston ran out winners of the league, but as the referee said after the game, “what a splendid match to watch, played by two sporting sides. If I could have given you 5 more minutes you would have beaten them”.

Man of the match (and there were a few of them during that second half) as decided by the referee, went to Remiese De Jonge. Congratulations Remiese