STURMINSTER NEWTON – 5 v   MAIDEN NEWTON - 1

This was a crunch game for both teams as we had met on four previous occasions, both winning and losing twice. Both teams were way out ahead at the top of the table with just this game to play, the winner would win the league.

The away team were slightly delayed and playing with a horrendous cross wind and the occasional burst of horizontal rain, the game started at 14:10. From the off Sturminster played hard and fast, heads up, moving the ball around and getting the better of the game slotting in a first goal within 10 minutes. This was shortly followed by some beautiful passing through a tough defence, and an excellent final touch putting us two up. At 25 minutes, we let our guard down and a well aimed strike from Maiden whistled past our goalkeeper leaving us 2-1 up as the half time whistle blew.

The second half started just as quickly and again Sturminster had control against a tired Maiden. The third goal came from tight up the right wing as the ball curled in catching the inside of the far post. With the rain hammering down the pitch became quite slippery with a few hard contacts and a few tears. Everyone was getting tired but refused to ease off the pace, the pitch was heavy but both teams battled on. Our fourth and fifth goals came just before the final whistle completing a hat-trick for Luke O’Connor, and an overall win of 5-1.

With this, a very tired, cold and wet Sturminster won the Under 11 league.