If you were to write a Hollywood script at the start of a season about how you would want it to go you couldn’t have written it better than the reality that unfolded. A tough AUL PTSB Division 3 Sunday league with a lot of established teams lay ahead for the season.
Beggsboro, bringing in a mix of younger players to compliment the experienced players started the league as it happens against the very team that would push them all of the way for the season and tonight’s opponents, Grange Woodbine.
On the opening day the game finished in a 2-2 draw. It’s unlikely, as the final whistle blew in that game that either team would predict that the return game would have such importance attached to it.
The opening game draw was followed up with an impressive 4 game winning streak before being held to a 3-3 draw by Woodlawn.
This lead to an incredible 11 match win streak with Beggsboro scoring 47 goals and conceding only 7 in reply before an abandoned game broke the streak. Undeterred by that game Beggsboro won their next 4 on the trot to lead to tonight’s game.
Tonight’s opposition were Grange Woodbine, the only team that could deny Beggsboro the title. The equation a simple one, beat Grange Woodbine, win the league. A tough task given that Grange Woodbine had not lost a game in the league all year but Beggsboro were top of the league for a reason.
A game of this importance deserved the trio of match officials that were appointed. The pitch was in incredible condition given how many games had been played on it. Johnny Clarke had his team primed and ready to play.
By the time the game kicked off there was barely a seat in the stand or a spot on the side line left to watch.
Both teams started with intent, neither wanting to give ground to their opposition but it was a slick Beggsboro move that broke the deadlock after 10 minutes to go 1-0 up with a goal from Kian Davis. Grange Woodbine however weren’t just here to make up the numbers and pulled a goal back quickly to level the scoreline at 1-1.
Beggsboro dug in, playing some intricate, fast flowing football with Tadgh Lawlor scoring to make the score 2-1. Grange Woodbine again equalised to bring the scoreline at 2-2 on the half hour. Beggsboro regained the lead with 10 minutes to go in the half, Shaun Murphy making it 3-2. The scoreline staying that way as the half time whistle blew.
Both teams weren’t finished yet with end to end attacking football on display. It took until the 55th minute for a long range effort from Tarik Militti to beat the Grange Woodbine keeper. Beggsboro 4 Grange Woodbine 2. Beggsboro were on top surely that was it, game won. No, a spirited Grange Woodbine team weren’t finished. A rebound off the Beggsboro post fell perfectly for the Grange Woodbine number 9 to tap in. Two minutes later a save from the Beggsboro keeper again fell to the feet of the Grange Woodbine forward to tap in, it’s now 4-4 with 30 minutes to play.
So here we are, the league could be decided in just 30 minutes of football. Which team would show the will and spirit to take the game by the scruff of the neck and win it. Tough question but an easy answer, it was Beggsboro.
The equaliser from Grange Woodbine showed just how tight knit this Beggsboro team are. No bickering, no blaming and no finger pointing. Every player to a man on the pitch put everything into every tackle, making themselves available as an out ball for every team mate. Thirty minutes left to show why they came into the league on top of the table and show it they did.
With 70 minutes played Beggsboro took the lead through Tarik Militti’s second of the game the scoreline is now Beggsboro 5 Grange Woodbine 4. The huge roar from the sideline acknowledged the importance of the goal.
This time though Beggsboro were not giving up an equaliser. After 80 minutes Beggsboro extended the lead with Shaun Murphy scoring his second to make it 6-4. Beggsboro though weren’t content with that, no backing off now and their relentless pressing paying off when Sean Lawlor scored with 5 minutes to go. Scoreline now Beggsboro 7 Grange Woodbine 4.
90 minutes pass, how long was the referee going to add. It didn’t matter, with every passing minute Beggsboro controlled the ball, no way they were giving Grange Woodbine an opportunity.
The whistle blows, the Beggsboro sideline spill onto the pitch, they had done it. Beggsboro had inflicted the first defeat on an excellent and well organised Grange Woodbine side. The reward for tonight’s win is Beggsboro are the Champions. Yep it sounds so good we will say it again Beggsboro are Champions.
When the chaos had settled down, the Champions received their reward. The trophy awarded to the best in the League. Beggsboro 2022/2023 PTSB Division 3 Sunday winners…
Congratulations to Johnny Clarke and every single player in the squad on a fabulous season. There is only one way to sign off the match report and that’s with the way the players celebrated…..
Championes Championes olé olé olé………… Championes Championes olé olé olé