With an electric atmosphere still coursing through players and spectators alike, the First took the park ready to do battle with the Golden Stars. The Golden Stars were the second ranked team from the Gill Conference and from past meetings had a strong reputation for hard athletic play but the Wanderers as winners of the Walker Conference were more than ready for the challenge.
The first half started well for both teams, testing out their opposing players, but each defense held firm. Dave Patterson was particularly strong in the middle of the park matching stride for stride with his speedy marker, but neither team could find much space to work with. This trend continued through towards the half time break, till a strong run of play saw the Golden Stars take a 1-0 lead. A turnover near the top of the Wanderers box saw a Stars midfielder break through a couple of strong tackles before roofing a shot from close range leaving Brandon with little chance for a save.
Still despite being a goal down the Wanderers had little cause for concern, they were matching up to the physical Golden Stars and just needed to continue there play and all were certain the goals would come. So as the second wound its way along the Wanderers started to play like the division champions team they were, with the deft passing and slick movement in the front third a particular highlight. Adam, Ryan, and Luke were having great games up front creating and tracking down the ball. The Golden Stars though held firm for a long time and as the time ticked away it was not looking good for the Wanderers…
In what was just about the final play in regular time, Adam pushed down the left hand flank and whipped in a ball that found a waiting Ryan on the far post. The header was not great, by his standards, but he got enough on it to sneak it in past the right post to equalise the game and send this thriller into extra time. The post goal celebration from Ryan was one of unabashed enthusiasm and his extensive collection of sideline WAG and well wishers nearly spilled their white wine spritzers in the chaos of it all.
And so began two periods of extra time to decide the fate of the Firsts, would they be joining the Reserves in what was gathering shape as the Fathers Day extravaganza at Lambert Park? By this time Beachy and Gav Harmon had joined the fray and were starting to take on the Stars. The pace of the match continued frentically and the Stars managed to get some clear chances on goal, and it was only some top drawer keeping from Brandon (quickly firming as the players player of the year) that kept the Wanderers in the game.
The first period of extra time ended with no addition to the score, and the second was quickly taking on the same appearance. The whispers on the sideline was this thing was headed to penalties, and it was hard to argue otherwise as both teams did not give an inch. That was until an ill timed challenge opened the door …. just a little for the Wanderers.
Adam took the ball and setup his free kick just outside the box on the left hand side of the field. The Stars had set a big wall in front of him, but that mattered little. In came a finely weighted ball that left the keeper for dead, but grazed the crossbar thankfully going straight to the feet of a waiting Beachy who knocked home the game winner mere seconds before the end of the game. The place lit up with raucous celebrations from the Wanderers and as the game played out the last few moments one of the classics was in the books as a Wanderers win!
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