After our third football success of the week, Horizon were crowned North Stoke Champions after a fantastic match with Excel Academy. A report written by students Jay S and Steven E is included below, as well as a video of the deciding penalty. Well done to both teams who showed great spirit, skill and determination.
Report
“In one of the most exciting North Stoke Finals in memory, Ormiston Horizon started quickly with Tom A playing a defence-splitting pass and Steven E poking home passed the keeper. Shortly after, Sam H went on a solo run holding three players to cut inside and place home a smart finish to make it 2-0. Excel showed determination to get back into the game and replied with two goals in quick succession to bring the game back to 2-2. After soaking up pressure from Excel, Horizon began to get on top again and following a flick-on from a throw-in, Jay S hit a first-time 35-yard curler into the top corner for the goal of the game. Horizon were now 3-2 up, but Excel refused to be beaten and replied with another goal to make it 3-3. With the game all square again, Horizon started to pile pressure on Excel and eventually got themselves in front with a tidy finish from Tom A after he pounced on a defensive error. Horizon quickly added to this with a goal from Lewis C, who tapped in after a fantastic save from the Excel keeper to deny Tom A. 5-3. Excel dug deep into their reserves and built pressure in the last 10 minutes, this pressure counted, and they pulled two dramatic goals back to make it 5-5 after full-time. The game went into extra time, and chances went begging for both sides, with a notable triple save from Horizon goalkeeper Henry C to keep Horizon alive. The game went to penalties. With Horizon 3-2 up in penalties, Excel’s final penalty was saved by Jared H to present Ormiston Horizon with the win.”