TOP TWO DREAM OVER FOR 2s

The twos went into their match with 4th placed Shene knowing only a victory and a large winning margin would keep their slim hopes of a top-two finish alive. The boys were in high spirits, despite the recent disappointment, and resolved to maintain the aesthetic football that had brought so many good results despite the gale-force conditions. The red tops started brightly, midfield duo Glover and Brother Marcus resolving to get the ball down and spread it out wide. It was here that Borough had the most success in the early stages with Jimmy and Captain Faure combining well down the left to force an early corner.

However, with the wind in their favour, Shene soon grew into the game. Their high-press forced Borough to sit deeper and wayward forward passes restricted the Red Tops’ ability to launch any meaningful counter-attacks. Eventually the pressure told, a quick Shene throw-in down the left catching the Wandsworth defence sleeping before the striker swivelled and finished smartly into the far corner. 1-0.

Borough needed to react quickly but it was Belger who continued to be the busier keeper, making two stunning saves to keep the home side at bay. The pick of them, a full-length dive to tip around his left post, drew admiration from opposition and referee alike. Nevertheless, Shene were not to denied and a second goal was not long in coming. Neat play down their right saw the winger turn inside Jamo before cutting back to an onrushing midfielder who finished high into the net. 2-0.

The Captain took immediate action, sacrificing himself and the injured Pickles and opting for a formation change as the boys lined up in a 3-5-2 for the restart. The extra man in midfield looked to be working as Glover got his foot on the ball and began linking up well with Watson who looked to drive inside his full-back. On such an occasion, following good work by Hill, an indirect free-kick was awarded on the corner of the box after the midfielder forced a dangerously high challenge from the defence. The resulting attempt was whipped across the face of goal and nestled in the corner of the Shene goal. Having fractionally evaded the outstretched Borough legs, rolling in without interference from either team, the goal was not to count.

Undeterred, Borough continued to throw men forward only to see each effort turned away. Having watched Belger’s heroics from afar, it was the Shene keeper’s time to shine. Scotty broke away down the left and floated a cross into the box, spotting midfield runners in the area. With the ball slightly behind him, Watson attempted an acrobatic volley, sending the ball hurtling towards the far top-corner, only to see the attempt clawed away at full-stretch. At that stage, you’d have been forgiven for thinking it wasn’t to be Borough’s day. When the Shene right-back saw his cross sail over a helpless Belger’s head and into goal, it was difficult to think overwise. 3-0.

With the conditions now in their favour, Borough started the second half brightly and dominated possession throughout. Outhwaite, now in a more advanced position, was causing the home defence untold problems as he dominated the aerial battle. A cutting edge continued to evade Wandsworth though and despite twice hitting the woodwork and forcing several other smart saves, they could not find a breakthrough. At the other end, Youngman, Kennedy and Ballard were comfortably keeping the opposition at bay but were fortunate when Shene missed from two yards out, having quickly countered after a succession of Borough corners.

Jamo subbed himself back on in a final throw of the dice, only to be replaced again moments later after taking a ball to the face. The day’s frustration threatened to boil over and Outhwaite reacted strongly after an equally heavy challenge, picking up a yellow card in the resulting ruckus. For all Borough’s huff and puff in the latter stages, a deserved goal evaded the away team and they must now look to win the final game of the season to reclaim third position in the table. UTB.