Champione, Champione, Ole, Ole, Ole!!!! Elmer FC finally claimed the Division 3 title with a last gasp victory over an impressive Avisford Sports side at King Georges. A nervy start had seen Elmer under the cosh early on. They were fortunate not to go behind after 12 minutes when a flowing move by the visitors ended with the ball in the Elmer net. However, the goal was disallowed for an offside earlier in the move. It looked as if that escape had stung Elmer into action as they then created their first clear opportunity. A flowing move down the right resulted in a fine ball into the box being met by a firm header from James Ford. Stuart Gibbons in the Avi goal doing well to deny the diminutive striker a goal. The game was now flowing end to end and from their very next attack the visitors went ahead with a quality finish from RJ Hampton. With Elmer needing to avoid defeat to claim the Division 3 crown it was Matt Hope who strove forward in desperate search of an immediate equaliser. Collecting the ball in his own half he single-handedly beat three defenders before finding himself one on one with Gibbons, the keeper though came out on top by pulling off another fine save. Lifted by this, Elmer went on to enjoy their finest period of the match and got on level terms in the 29th minute. A rash challenge just outside the Avisford area led to a free kick being awarded, and top scorer Nathan Sadler stepped up to crash in his 39th goal of the season. Just three minutes later and it looked it was all going Elmer’s way as Matt Hope got his head to a fine cross from Sean O’Donnell to guide the ball into the net to give them the lead for the first time. To their credit, Avisford mounted a period of pressure of their own and from a 35 minute corner managed to squeeze the ball into the Elmer net with the defenders calling for a free-kick.
So half-time saw the teams go in at 2-2. Needing just a draw, Elmer could have been forgiven for shutting up shop in the second half but chose to go for the more offensive option of winning the game. This policy did of course mean that Avisford were able to carve out their share of chances. Strong performances from Elmer’s central defensive pair of Tom Bann and Kyle Belcher meant no further goals would be conceded. At the other end, Elmer were also creating their share of chances but to no avail. With just four minutes remaining Elmer boldly replaced Ford with Jack Davis and were rewarded in the very final moments as he rose at the far post to meet an Alex Peach corner. Picking his spot, Davis deliberately headed the ball back and over Gibbons into the net making the score 3-2 and sending his team-mates and the large Elmer following crazy with delight.
In a twist of fate Elmer had clawed their way to top of the table for the very first time since mid-November on the very last day of their league season, and with what was actually their final touch! Their next target is now to complete the Division 3 double by winning the Ken Baker Memorial Cup when they take on a tough looking fixture against a strong LG United side on 28th April at Arundel FC. KO is at 7-30pm.
