Champions crowned as Generals lose battle
Methven FC 3 V Western Generals 0
A winner takes all scenario, a large crowd and a sunny day welcomed the two front runners in the league for the penultimate match of the season. The game kicked off and it was Methven that looked the more nervous, giving the ball away cheaply, getting caught in possession and individual mistakes looked like it might cost them early doors. But thankfully they settled ten minutes in and started to look a proper team again. The ‘Governor’ nearly made the break through when he turned the defender from a throw in, before beating another in the six yard box but was dispossessed just before the finish. Methven continued to probe and the turning point of the game duly came. Nick Eden had been released and the speedster had already demonstrated his willingness to get in behind the defence. However on this occasion he was sent flying by a wild and reckless tackle with full studs showing. The ref had no alternative but send the General defender off for the dangerous play, much to the disappointment of the visitors. A five minute debate would hinder the taking of the consequential freekick and with a sporting gesture of fair play to allow a tight game to continue, the referee allowed the Generals to bring on a replacement for their suspended player; making the numbers even. Freekick specialist Jan Luccini had other ideas and was in no mood to extend any further curtesy and to rub more salt into the wound he let rip an outstanding strike, which no keeper could have saved, 1-0.
The visitors had lost their heads by this point, clearly incensed by the red card and they were fortunate not to receive any further punishment as vicious tackles continued to rain down all over the domain. The mountaineers would need another goal before the break just to settle proceedings and calm the game down. After a series of dangerous corners from Luccini, going unpunished, they finally got their reward when centreback Liam Sheppard popped up, unmarked on the penalty spot to nod home, 2-0.
In recent weeks we have seen a different side to this Methven outfit, an expansion of their already attractive passing game. As tougher matches have come their way, they have produced a resilience and nerves of steel to see out games and Western were to be no exception. The second half saw the mountaineers show patients, control and guile and the General’s never looked like threatening, bar one half chance, which heard keeper Wasley screech as he watched on and witnessed the crossbar come to his aid, to deny any chance of a comeback. Up the other end the Mountaineers were making a nuisance of themselves and finally they got their reward when Josh Burrows was brought down in the box and up stepped Luccini to finally settle the game once and for all as he converted into the roof of the net, 3-0. Luccini was outstanding today, a leader vocally and by example and it’s a shame he was one goal shy from taking the match ball home but if it’s any consolation he will take the man of the match accolade. The final whistle sounded, and Methven FC are now the new champions of division 3. That makes back to back championship wins for the Mountaineers and the same for promotions. We will now look forward to the team applying their trade in division 2 next season. But before that there is still the small matter of their last match of the league campaign, which will be played next week in Christchurch against Christchurch United Prebbleton Shamrocks.
In other scores on the other side of the domain, the Methven reserves came up short again, just missing out on a share of the points as Hornby Utd AFC Pressies won 1-2.