Match Report - 24th April 2008

Rematches in boxing seldom live up to their billing but this was the exception. Headstone were dealt another blow just before kick off when Ryan was ruled out of the game through injury.

The boys were tense but knew that a win or a draw would help their title aspirations. The game started at the same pace as the last match with both teams showing why they have done so well this season. A tactical change had seen Liam move into the midfield and Tyrell go upfront. The Brunswick defence were extremely uncomfortable with the physical presence of Tyrell and his pace. Headstone started the stronger and Brunswick were on the back foot. The back four looked as dominant as ever and George and Sam were working hard in the middle of the park. Brunswick had moved their excellent midfielder into the forward line and whilst he was threatening up front he was missed in the middle of the park. George laid the ball across to Sam who put the ball into space for Liam to run onto. Liam picked the ball up wide on the right hand side with three Brunswick players in front of him. Liam went past the first with ease and rode the tackle of the second, the third tried to force Liam wide but Liam drove the ball in hard and low beating the keeper at the near post. Brunswick were stunned they had never been behind before. Headstone though did not sit back and pushed on again. Liam worked into some space on the edge of the box and drove the ball across to Tyrell who was coming in at pace. Tyrell caught the ball perfectly, and the ball flew into the back of the net, 2-0.

Brunswick looked stunned and the half time whistle was a welcome noise. Brunswick are an excellent team and do not give up easily and want to win this Div. Brunswick started the stronger. The first chance though saw the ball land to Sam who tried to direct the ball into the back of the net, unfortunately the ball brushed the outside of the post. The second chance fell to Luke at a corner only to see the ball driven into the side netting, although the parents next to me started to celebrate.

Brunswick though did not rest on the position they stepped it up a level. Suddenly as in the last game they seemed a yard faster and stronger. Headstone were missing the influential Ryan and Brunswick started to flood our midfield. Sam and George were trying to keep them at bay but we started to look heavy legged. Brunswick shortly afterwards got a free kick on the edge of the box. Jack positioned the wall but unfortunately the ball went through the wall and although Jack got a hand to it Brunswick were quicker to react to the loose ball and drilled the ball in, 2-1. Brunswick were on the up and forced the equalizer shortly afterwards. At that point Luke, captain for the day lead from the front and restored calm within the team. Joey, Babak and Josh declared war and nothing was going to get past them.

Headstone had weathered the storm and the defenders started to dictate the pace of the game. The outstanding Josh at left back summed up this new edge when he took the ball off the advancing defender majestically took the ball out of the defence carried it twenty yards to deliver an inch perfect diagonal ball. The drama had not finished when Headstone got a free kick on the edge of the box. Liam caught the ball with such pace everyone thought it was a goal but some how the keeper got a hand to it and push it onto the bar. Brunswick then went up the other end to be awarded a free kick on the edge of our box. Could Brunswick get a late winner? To the relief of the parents the ball went over and the whistle went, 2-2.

If you look at these scores in the newspaper you could be fooled into thinking two boring draws. That’s the beauty of football if you had been there you would have seen two youth teams playing outstanding football who gave 100% commitment who walked off the pitch shaking each others hands knowing that they had been involved in two exceptionally matches. Brunswick are an exceptional team and will do very well in the Premier, they play good attacking football.

The game left the parents emotionally drained and proud. The boys’ dream of winning the title to prove the Harrow league wrong is now totally in their control. If they win the next 4 matches they will be League champions.