The Maroons were back at Bishop Walsh school, ready for a showdown with yet another Sutton team. Despite a promising start, the Maroons found themselves a goal down, thanks to Sutton’s counterattacks that had more menace than a cat plotting world domination.
Nico, stationed wide left, clung to the line so tightly that I feared he had morphed into a chameleon amidst the crowd. In the bitter Birmingham cold, he quickly forgot the luxurious Barbadian beaches he had grown accustomed to over the past two weeks.
The Maroons, however, weren’t ready to throw in the towel. During a corner kick, Seb pulled off a move so dramatic, it could rival an Oliver Giroud goal. He flicked his foot in an acrobatic fashion, toughing home a splendid finish to even the score. And Seb wasn’t done yet, soon after, he slammed home another fantastic finish.
Sutton retaliated, breaking down the right and slotting home a near-post finish that left Daniel helpless. Meanwhile, I suspected that Chris and Doug had Charlie binge-watching the Beckham documentary, considering he attempted an audacious effort from the halfway line. I half expected him to emerge at halftime sporting a Mohawk and a sarong.
Jesse re-entered the pitch, embarking on a mazy run from our own half into the Sutton box, leaving defenders in his wake. Unfortunately, his left-foot strike met its nemesis, the post. Undeterred, Jesse broke free again, only to be hacked down in the box. The crowd erupted as the referee (who was outstanding throughout) pointed to the spot.
Josiah had a couple of half-chances in the box but found himself surrounded by the robust Sutton defence. Nevertheless, his tireless work rate held the Maroons in good stead.
With 12 minutes left, Jesse decided to try his hand at goalkeeping, confidently seizing the gloves from Daniel. Daniel headed straight upfront to create a real nuisance for the Sutton defence. Sutton kept the boys honest, forcing a couple of spectacular saves and last minute blocks. Jesse, then went scorer to provider, pinging a lovely ball from his hand to Jacob, who coolly finished into the far post with the oncoming keeper sprawling in front of him.
In the last few minutes the Maroons were dealt a bitter blow as the Sutton side finished strong, slamming home two goals to break Maroon hearts.
Jacob walked away with the Man of the Match trophy after a fabulous performance. The boys left the pitch, lollipops in hand, with the score all square. Slightly gutted about losing their two-goal advantage, but hey, onwards and upwards. The Maroons were ready for whatever the next match might throw their way.