The equation was simple for these two teams. Roefield would qualify for their second successive Grand Final with a victory whilst FNF Blacks needed a win to realistically give themselves a shot at finishing in second place.
In torrential conditions, the ball zipped off the surface and, at times, made it difficult to piece together proper patterns of play. Unlike the professionals in the Club World Cup, the hardened Lancastrians braved through the chance of lightning.
After only a couple of minutes, the ball broke to Ben Gillies and he escaped a couple of committed challenges leaving himself with an opportunity inside the FNF Blacks area. He slotted home comfortably to give Roefield the early advantage.
On 8 minutes, the ball broke to Alex Green on the edge of the area and his left footed effort took a small deflection but enough of one for the ball to squirm underneath goalkeeper Devine. Within 8 minutes, FNF Blacks were 2-0 down and facing a huge uphill task.
Just before the break, a little bit of pressure from the press led to Roefield goalkeeper O’Rourke making an error in attempting to head the ball out and Oliver Arrowsmith nipped in and scored from a narrow angle into an open goal.
FNF Blacks rallied up to the break but whilst it felt like they were back in the game, they never really troubled the Roefield goalkeeper.
The second half started the same way as the first ended. There were very little chances with FNF Blacks trying to nullify Roefield and hang in the game but with a change in formation, going more attacking, they were always open to conceding in the hope of pushing for goals.
Half way through the half, the pressure became too much and Roefield scored three goals within a short space of time.
The first from Liam Dunleavey, his third of the competition. The second came through Ben Gillies, his second of the match. The fifth and final nail in the FNF Blacks coffin was hammered in by last year’s top scorer in the competition, Ben Fox-Pierce, who grabbed his first goal of this year’s tournament.
The evening did provide positives for FNF Blacks and for the Arrowsmith household with a proud moment as brothers Oliver (18) and Josh (15) shared a FNF field for the first time.
It was a well deserved victory for Roefield who, on the night, were simply the better team. They go on to play in the Grand Final on August 1st. Their opponents will come from the group game between FNF Whites and Rimington.
FNF Blacks will be rueing previous results that have probably cost them a place in this year’s Grand Final, especially the last minute equaliser in the FNF Derby.
On a historic night where Oasis shared the stage again in Cardiff, it would be FNF Blacks who would Fade Away from the FNF Trophy.
