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Yesterday's six-a-side final pitted last term's champions G Stars against Henry Smith's Six In The City (SITC).
This term's tournament has been fiercely contested, with G Stars only runners-up in a group won by Red Leopard. Jeb Ends and SITC won the other two groups, with the top two going through from each group and the two best third-place teams qualifying.
In the quarters, Trystal Palace beat Jeb Ends again, as they had done in the five-a-side final the week before, and Six In The City and Red Leopard both progressed as well. G Stars were 5-3 down in their quarter with a few minutes remaining, yet somehow managed to pull through 6-5 to set-up a meeting with Red Leopard, who had already beaten them in the group stages. However, in the semis G Star smashed Red Leopard 5-0, while a Henry Smith insired Six In The City saw off a typically battling performance from Trystal Palace 2-1.
G Stars were missing the inspirational Owen Grafham for the final. However, they brought in university first team captain Dom O'Shea, and could still call upon the talents of Colin High and Andy Ramsden among others.
The game couldn't have got off to a worse start for SITC, as Laurie Swan was dispossessed by O'Shea, who fired in from close range past James Sweetman. SITC kept their heads up though, and fought hard to get back into the game. Although they had much of the ball, SITC didn't seem like they were going to score until Smith scored a goal which G Stars goalkeeper Jack Kennedy could possibly have done better with, as it skimmed past him at the near post to hit the back of the net.
G Stars had the last laugh before half-time, as Colin High's excellent movement got him the extra yard he needed to be able to strike the ball sweetly into the net and give G Stars a deserved 2-1 half-time lead.
The game continued to be fiercely contested in the second half, with Ramsden attempting to neutralise Smith, and Mcwilliams keeping O'Shea under wraps. SITC slowly but surely began to impose their will, with chances for Smith, Preston and D'Souza all in quick succession. However, none of them could seem to get the ball past the impressive Kennedy. Controversy loomed over a G Star's player infringement into the box, and the referee pointed to the spot to give Smith a chance to level, which he took.
Excellent football from both sides meant that the game was finely poised, and some fine stops from Sweetman and Kennedy kept the scores level at the final whistle. Into extra-time both teams went, but with only one five-minute half to make an impact before penalties, both teams came out nervously at the start. Two minutes in, the always dangerous Henry Smith popped up with a screamer to silence the Goodricke fans on the sidelines and leave G Stars with little time to equalise.
However, there was still some controversy left, as, with 30 seconds to go, O'Shea seemed to back into Mcwilliams, which led to Mcwilliams stepping into the penalty area. The ref once again pointed to the spot, and up stepped O'Shea. Sweetman gambled on the shot, and made an excellent save to silence the Goodricke fans once again, and the final whistle was blown shortly afterwards.
An excellent game of 6-a-side football, and no doubt both teams will be back again next term.
Six In The City: James Sweetman, Myles Preston, Jonny Mcwilliams, Laurie Swan, Henry Smith, Dan Hyde, Andrew Wakeford, Richard Remington, Ashwath D'Souza.
G Stars: Jack Kennedy, Ronan Joyce, Chris Grayland, Billy Goldring, Andy Ramsden, Dom O'Shea, Colin High.
Man of the Match: Jack Kennedy
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