Launton Athletic Under 12s beat the odds to secure Knockout Plate final place

Summertown Stars Galaxy U12s4 (5) vs Launton Athletic U12s4 (5) | Launton Athletic win 3-1 on penalties

In a game full of twists and turns, Launton Athletic came from behind three times to secure a win on penalties against Summertown Stars Galaxy and advance to the Knockout Plate final.

Heading into the game Summertown had been tearing up the league since mid-November, unbeaten in their last 10 games and winning the last 9 straight by a combined scoreline of 63-19, including a 10-1 demolition of Athletic in early January. Led by their superstar left winger who has scored an incredible 51 goals this season - including 5 in the teams’ previous two meetings - Athletic were going to have their work cut out.

Athletic went into the game on the back of a set of mixed results in recent weeks, though their play overall has been improving steadily through the season. Confidence was high as they were buoyed by their cup quarter final result three weeks ago where they put up their best ever result in beating BotleyBoys and Girls 9-1 at home to set up the clash with Summertown. The game was played on Cherwell School’s 3G pitch in wet conditions, but Athletic got off to a strong start, with three chances in the first 10 minutes, including a shot which cannoned back off the crossbar from captain and central midfielder FM. Athletic employed a man-marking system to limit Galaxy’s best player and though it was working well, he broke free midway through the first half and scored a brilliant solo goal to put them ahead. The lead was doubled soon after in a similar fashion but Athletic kept their heads up and pulled one back with FM scoring a fine header from a CA corner. Athletic got back on level terms with five minutes left as striker TC beat a couple of players in the box before sliding the ball across for CA to score with a first-time left-footed finish. It was looking like the teams were heading into half time level but Galaxy took the lead again in injury time as a shot from the edge of the box ricocheted into the bottom corner.

Into the second half and it didn’t take long for Galaxy to extend their lead again, as miscommunication in Athletic’s defence allowed a simple finish, to go ahead 4-2. But then Athletic gathered themselves again and kept pressing forward. They made it 4-3 with another header from FM from a CA corner, stopping low and looping the ball over the Galaxy keeper. Athletic got back on level terms again as substitute JR followed up a shot spilled by the keeper and nicked it past him to make it 4-4. The final few minutes were tense but both teams held out and we went to extra time.

In the first half of extra time, Galaxy were on top and took the lead for a third time as a corner from the right fell to a Galaxy player who tapped in to make it 5-4. The second half of extra time was frantic as Athletic sought a third equaliser, and they pushed everyone forward with the game on the line. Inspiration hit with under two minutes left as FM completed his hat trick with a shot from outside the box that flew over the keeper and in off the bar. The celebrations were wild as the bench ran onto the pitch to join their teammates, and there was barely any time left to restart before the referee below for full time and penalties.

The penalty takers were selected, Athletic won the toss and got to go first. FM fresh from his last-minute heroics stepped up and buried his penalty high to the goalkeeper’s left. Then in a moment of huge drama, the Galaxy player stepped and smashed their penalty back off the post. Athletic were two kicks from victory. LN then stepped up for Athletic and confidently slammed his penalty home, again high and to the goalkeeper’s left. Galaxy’s player then stepped up knowing a miss would mean defeat and scored, though Athletic goalkeeper DRP was close to saving it. That then left midfielder GL to seal the game for Athletic. With all the pressure on his shoulders, GL stepped up and confidently dispatched the game-winning penalty, sealing a three-time come from behind win and sending Athletic into the final. Cue wild scenes from both players and parents who had been brilliant in supporting the team throughout the match.

Athletic will face Witney Vikings from the league above in the final at Oxford City on 7 May. We’ve had some good games against Witney in the past, including a 3-1 win at home earlier this season before they got promoted. It will be a tough test but one Athletic will relish in their last game in 9-a-side before progressing to 11v11 next season.