Big game today. The league would be watching - 1st v 2nd playing for the title. This really was the Match of the Day !
The boys sounded up for it, but when the whistle went they looked a little shaky and the nerves of the occasion looked ominously over their shoulders. Whitton started strongly, pressing high up the pitch and looking lively down their left wing.
About 10 minutes in we started to settle into proceedings, and the passing looked sharper by the minute. The effort in the tackles picked up and you could see a confidence coming back. We began to dominate the middle of the pitch and firmed up the shaky back line. A far more composed Sandgate now looked to take the game to Whitton. Having created a couple of pretty good chances with neat play through the middle we really needed the goal that would settle everybody down, parents included. So having fallen short on the closer chances, we should have known it would be a screamer from 30 yards out to set us up for a one nil half time lead.
The boys sucked up the air at half time having put a lot of effort into the fist half hour - rallied themselves and started the 2nd half at a great pace.
Whitton's desire to press never disappeared and attack they did at every opportunity. The game was far more open with Whitton looking to get back into it, and Sandgate hoping to finish it with another.
It was the latter that came first. An excellent through ball splitting the back line and with the keeper on the 6 a well struck finish from the edge of the box into the bottom corner was celebrated like a winner.
The boys absolutely worked their socks off to see the game out, even creating some further chances that could've stretched the lead. We continued to show some terrific defending and another clean sheet against a very good side was evidence of a great performance.
Final Whistle blown - CHAMPIONS !
Well done to all the boys, with every registered player getting out there today.
Congratulations to Whitton who will finish 2nd and gain promotion also. A very good team and really great hosts today.
