It was billed as a game where Stanfield would be comfortable victors having made their way to 2nd in the league in style brushing aside teams with ease. With Alfie, Kudzai and Tinashe ruled out it was down the the 9 boys available to take on the hardest game of the season.
The game started with a fierce battle with some excellent attacking football from both sides, it was Stanfield who broke the deadlock with a deflected goal beating keeper Sam. Not to be disheartened Roma went about their game with style and when Ryan was fouled in the opposition half it was him on the free kick that was hit so sweetly only to be denied by the crossbar.
A battle ensued with Roma dominating further and a searching ball was played forward to the Stanfield striker who one on one with Sam shot only for the sturdy keeper to hold his ground and produce a fine stop. With the football flowing to a standard even the watching Everton scouts couldn't believe it was another foul on the oppositiom half that saw Ryan step up. The free kick was struck with the accuracy of a laser guided missile straight to Harry who played a lovely ball to Shea to finish with a poachers goal. 1-1. Deserved.
As the game went on Stanfield prodded and probed and continued to find themselves time and time again frustrated by the leagues number 1 defender John who was cool as you like all game.
Mid first half a lucky Stanfield goal saw them retake the lead followed by a further goal which was well taken and left Sam helpless. 3-1.
The ever battling Evan cut through the Stanfield midfield like a hot knife through butter and he found himself unlucky to see a well worked shot blocked. His watch has already recorded 20,000 steps such was his work rate!
The introduction of Kaden and Joe saw a throw in the last third and a rocket of a ball was thundered to the head of Kaden who, with arguably the best header of all time, placed it across the face of goal into the bottom corner. A beautiful finish that he made look easy but in reality it was incredibly hard. The Roma ultras bounced wildly on the line and the boys had the fire reignited in their belly, they could smell blood and wanted to feast on the Stanfield goal.
Half time came and the message from coach Andy was to change nothing, the scoreline didn't reflect the game and keep going strong.
It was another throw in to Roma that saw Joe with an excellent throw that saw Kaden chase down the loose ball and with the keeper racing out a deft touch over him saw the ball nestle into the Stanfield net. Kaden's second of the game and the smile said everything.
Wit's the reintroduction of JP the Roma team pressed hard and drove the Stanfield back 2 deeper and deeper however a plucky ball through saw Sam beaten again. 4-3 Stanfield.
With Roma on the attack a threaded ball from JP perfectly found Shea who was unlucky to see himself tackled. Stanfield made the most of a final attack which saw them take the game to 5-3.
With the refs whistle came Standfield celebrations however the pride felt by coaches and parents overrode any disappointment. Arguably Roma's finest performance this season.
MoM - Kaden.
Up the Roma
