How does that saying go, “talent wins games, but teamwork and experience win championships?”
On Thursday evening, 16 teams met at Sale United Football Club grounds for the final season round of the Go Sevens summer soccer competition, and with top ladder teams fighting for a top spot in this week’s finals, tensions were high.
Looking at the draw B ladder leading into the final season round, the undefeated Mac Rappers and Misfits were certain to make the first versus second finals no matter their result.
Misfits held top spot with five wins, one draw and a goal difference of 25. Mac Rappers followed suit in second with five wins, one draw and a goal difference of 14.
Draw A, however, was quite a different story.
The completion of Round 6 saw the undefeated Bayside Astronauts maintain top position with five wins and one draw, and a comfortable goal difference of 20.
Coming in second was My Little Morty’s with five wins, one loss and the competitions leading goal difference of 25. Pink Bits held third position with five wins, one loss and a goal difference of 17. The position of draw A’s top three teams heading into Round 7 meant Pink Bits, Bayside Astronauts and My Little Morty’s were all fighting for a chance to play in this week’s first versus second finals.
Ladder leaders Bayside Astronauts met the unexpected season contenders, My Little Morty’s, at 6.30pm on Main Pitch One for the team’s biggest game of the competition.
Bayside Astronauts’ excellence comes from the likes of Sale United Senior Men’s youthful players Isaak Jondahl, Callum Campbell, and Brennan McGill. The young side has undoubtedly proven their capability over the Go Sevens 2022 season.
For My Little Morty’s, a significantly older team, with the exception of Dani Wilson and Murray Casella, who has unexpectedly risen to every challenge, the final round would be their biggest test yet.
Teams donning red and yellow entered the field, respectively taking their positions in anticipation of the whistles blow.
Phwwwwwhht. Game on.
For joints less oiled than that of their opponents, My Little Morty’s hit the ground running, and the game’s opening minutes proved a relatively even playing field.
A slip in My Little Morty’s defence proved opportune for Bayside Astronauts to make a move, and in his ever-graceful composure, Jondahl found the back of the net to put the team in red ahead.
Bayside’s lead would not be kept for long though.
The rude awakening shocked My Little Morty’s into top gear, and the team in yellow did what they do best; they worked together, moving the ball upfield to ultimately even the score.
My Little Morty’s second goal was disallowed for reasons that were unclear to most.
Bayside Astronauts levelled the underdogs at halftime, the scoreboard reading 1-1.
A switch up of positions was in order for Bayside as Campbell retired to goals and McGill took the field.
My Little Morty’s claimed their second goal, but their lead was quickly shortened after McGill found the back of the net, bringing the score to 2-2.
The underdogs pulled ahead once again, claiming their third goal.
With five minutes remaining, tensions rose, and the heat on the pitch was felt by onlookers who had congregated around the field’s edge.
A foul from Bayside saw My Little Morty’s score their fourth and final goal.
My Little Morty’s held their own in the final minutes, denying Bayside another goal.
Almost simultaneously with the clock reading one minute to go, a foul was called against My Little Morty’s, giving away a penalty to Bayside Astronauts.
A clean shot added another goal to Bayside’s score, but one wasn’t enough.
The final whistle sounded, and the score was final; triumph went to the underdogs, the aging side, the unsuspected victors. My Little Morty’s beat Bayside Astronauts 4-3 in a wicked battle, claiming top spot on the ladder at the end of the normal season rounds.
With Pink Bits unable to claim a win, drawing 3-3 with Divines, My Little Morty’s will meet Bayside Astronauts again this Thursday for the first versus second Go Seven 2022 Grand Final.
Purple Cobras, who beat Green Grubs 8-2, will play Pink Bits in the third vs fourth Go Seven 2022 Grand Final.
Tekkerslovakia, who tied 3-3 with The Special Ones, will meet Divines for the fifth versus sixth Grand Final, and The Special Ones will play Green Grubs in the seventh versus eighth Grand Final.
In Draw B, Misfits will meet Mac Rappers this Thursday for the first versus second Go Seven 2022 Grand Final.
Occasionally United play the Mighty Cornflakes in the third versus fourth Grand Final, The David’s face Dico’s Demons in the fifth versus sixth Grand Final and Raglan Street Blues are up against Ringins for the seventh versus eighth Grand Final.
