MATCH REPORT BJFC 5-4 Pres at Supples
What a way to end the season. With the title mathematically secured after creaming Benteke Fried Chicken last week, the lads took to the field one last time this season to earn the right to lift the trophy.
Having sabotaged the water mains in Jesmond Dene beforehand, it was doubtful that the Juniors would be able to field a team. However, with captain Harri Saunders at the wheel, the bus took a detour, racing Pres at Supples' yellow Nissan Juke to be in the home dressing room.
Despite having a hefty squad to choose from, the Gaffer chose the same Starting V as last week and elected not to have any substitutes. Though the Gaffer claims this is due to Harri Saunders' indefatigability, Tom Coulthard's 99-rated long shots, and William Nicoll's 5-star skills, but we all know it's because he'd rather be cracking open a cold one with the boys than making actual managerial decisions.
To silence the 'Gaffer-Out' brigade, the big man needed some silverware to back up his status at the club. Not entering the FA People's Cup or Soccer Gods trophy was a risk, and dropping points against Pres at Supples earlier in the season put him on the ropes. To get the board off his back, the Juniors needed to lift the trophy in style.
Playing out of their skin for the Gaffer, the lads raced into a 2-0 lead. With Nicoll and Coulthard having both scored 23 in the last 15, there was some internal competition between the forwards, but it didn't affect the team as Nicoll set up both of the team's first two goals for Coulthard to score.
Going into the second half, the lads were quietly confident. As comes with confidence, the boys started playing with style, and James Sproston wasted no time in adding a third. However, the tables were soon to turn.
After missing a penalty, the opposition pressed on, scoring three quick-fire goals past Nicoll in the Juniors' goal. When they scored their fourth, the Gaffer shook things up.
With seven minutes remaining, Coulthard was put in net, and second-choice keeper Harry Van Der Hoek led the line, supported by Sproston. As the match entered the final seven minutes, it was this combination that would lead let rip the yellow rain.
Van Der Hoek lashed home a deflected Sproston pass on the half-volley. The Soccer Gods referee waved away the protests from the opposition, who claimed it was a free-kick against themselves rather than a goal. In fact this was a textbook case of the advantage role, something Pres at Supples would've known if they could actually read.
With the scores now level, the Juniors pressed forward looking for the fifth. It was made by Van Der Hoek, as Sproston struck home from close-range at the far post. The two embraced, captured in an iconic photo that will no doubt be on display in the National Football Museum, captioned as the moment in which BJFC started their climb to the Premier League.
We'll give you a full season's review in the near future, with more exclusive definitely real content.
