Report

The champagne corks were popping on Saturday after Old Grantonians smashed their opponents, Old Crosbeians 6-2 in the last game of the season to finish 2^nd place in the league battle and head for promotion for the third consecutive season.

The match got off to a fiery start with both teams playing for the win. Grants who were previously beaten earlier in the season 4-1 by Crosbeians but stayed strong and managed to see out any early efforts by them. Their defence did a got job holding off Ciaran and Salinas who managed to only get away one or two shots between them but nothing was sticking as their defence muscled both of them out the game. Crosbeians created the first goal taking a quick opportunity to open the score line. With Grants heads dropping as they feared déjà vu was around the corner did well to kept up fighting as late into the second half Chalky whipped in a lovely corner that found that massive head belonging to centre back Brighty who as usual, effortlessly popped it in the net with a signature finish.

The vital goal from Brighty was well needed as it was only moments before the half time whistle was blown. After a regroup and a couple of changes Grants began the second half with an upbeat tempo, ready to set the score line apart from their opposition. With only 10 minutes into the second half Scola (aka Bale as his fans call him) went up for a corner and managed to connect with a deflection and smashed in creating the lead for Grants. Milliseconds after they kicked off from the centre spot Drew intercepted the ball and had a second stab at shooting from the half way line, and like an uglier version of Beckham – he managed to do the same and lobbed the keeper from way out making it 3-1.

These two goals in quick concession gave Grants the taste for putting some more past the tee-shirt wearing opposition goalie, and so they did as Drew got his name on the sheet for the second time in one day with a strong side header. Crosbeians who didn’t give up trying kept up fighting for the win and with a slight mix up in communication they got the ball and managed to squeeze one past strange. With things heating up Grants continued the cracking football and with Jamie spreading the play across to Matty who fired back a cross into him that was nicely tucked away, brought the gap back to three goals. Noticing the frustration coming from both centre forwards as they still remained goalless after seeing 5 goals past the goalie from the defenders and midfielders of the squad, they realised something had to be done and the opportunity finally came when Grants were awarded a free kick just outside the box. With Jack slowly trotting up from the Grants half eager to take the free kick, Black Tooth Brady stepped in explaining he would tap it for Jack to have a shot, but instead Ciaran had his fingers crossed and decided to smash it in the bottom corner whilst the goalie was busy picking his nose. Cheers of joy all round with the exception of the Peckham Pig who trotted back to centre back goalless.

With the score line sitting at 6-2, Crosbeians didn’t see much point in trying to defeat the mighty Old Grantonians and simply gave up, ending the game with a victory for Grants who got their well deserved promotion.

This week’s man of the match went to Brighty with a solid performance and as its last game of the season, double goal scorer Drew kindly volunteered to take responsibility for the kit and give it a good scrub.

A fantastic season for Old Grants who didn’t have a brilliant start to the season but with sheer determination proved they could fight for their place in division 2. Let’s hope that in 5 months we carry on how we finished.

Until next time...DIVISION 2!!!!