6s DELIVER ALMIGHTY COMEBACK

Despite having to shuffle their pack for this game, the 6s started strongly against a Sinjuns side that had won its previous league match 11-2. Boro, perhaps buoyed by their rousing rendition of the official Deliveroo anthem prior to kick-off, had all the early play, with Remmer and Matuska combining to carve out a glorious opportunity for Kershaw – which was unceremoniously spooned over the bar – before Kershaw side-footed another, self-made, chance straight into the keeper’s arms.

Against the run of play, disaster then struck twice in the space of five minutes, firstly as Cibardo misjudged the bounce on a lofted through ball which ended up in the back of the Boro net, then followed shortly afterwards by a second Sinjuns goal when Sweeney was adjudged, going away from goal on the far left side of the area, to have pushed an opponent in the back as he shielded the ball. 2-0 to Sinjuns.

This new-look 6s side, resplendent in their shimmering Puma kits, did not let their heads drop and immediately got back onto the front foot, pushing Sinjuns back and winning a succession of corners; the pressure eventually told and, when Deliveroo band ambassador Nathan Mills was unceremoniously shoved to the ground, the referee had no hesitation in awarding Boro a penalty of their own which was calmly dispatched by Mendes.

Trailing by just one goal, and now having the chance to attack downhill for the second 45 minutes on Sinjuns’ B Ground’s famous slope, the mood was positive at half time and it was no surprise when the rampant Matuska took full advantage of a goalkeeping error to level the scores at 2-2. Boro weren’t done there, though, and wave after wave of attacks (including a towering header from Matuska that cannoned back off the crossbar) culminated in Kershaw finally hitting the target and, more importantly, the back of the net to put the 6s ahead with 19 minutes to play.

Boro spurned further chances, notably through Swirkowski and Mills, to add to the scoreline and make the game safe but rarely looked in danger of conceding and, as the referee blew the final whistle, the assembled Deliveroo cheerleading team broke out into its trademarked celebratory dance routine amid the firing of confetti cannons into the air. Captain Neil Watkins stuffed the team’s new kit into its accompanying green and silver cube-shaped kit bag, which he slapped onto his back before speeding smugly away on his shiny branded scooter.