The main event of the evening – the second annual FNF Derby – had a lot to live up to after the Roefield vs Sabden match delivered high quality football.
It did not disappoint.
FNF Whites came into this fixture with a win under their belts, while FNF Blacks were still chasing their first victory after an opening draw with Rimington.
The game kicked off at a blistering pace. Whites dominated the ball and had more territory early on but failed to test Devine in the Blacks goal, settling instead for long-range efforts.
Then, out of nowhere, Blacks struck. Hickey slid a clever ball into Isherwood who was denied by Shaw, but a few minutes later Isherwood turned from Titanic to technician. A heavy spin on his lob from the edge of the box somehow bent the ball inside the post to give Blacks a surprise lead.
Whites remained in control but couldn’t find the breakthrough. Just before the half, Gell nearly doubled the lead with a thunderous strike that smashed the post.
The second half mirrored the first – all Whites pressure, but stubborn defending from Blacks.
It didn’t take long for the pressure to tell. On 27 minutes, Boyle levelled the scores with a calm finish from close range. Whites were back in it and pushed on for a winner.
But disaster struck 11 minutes later. A defensive lapse gifted Burt a clear sight on goal, and he made no mistake, blasting it past Shaw to restore Blacks’ lead.
The closing minutes were pure chaos. Clarkson hit two absolute rockets – the first whistling just wide, the second cannoning off the post in what could’ve been goal of the tournament.
As the clock ticked down, Blacks slowed the game, playing into corners and holding off the Whites’ waves.
Then came the twist.
With seconds left and the referee ready to blow, Joe launched a long ball from his own half. Devine came to claim, but Sargeant bravely nodded the ball goalward under pressure. It bobbled. It bounced. It found the net.
2–2. Absolute scenes.
An instant classic in the history of the FNF Derby. Passion. Drama. Respect.
What’s next?
