Ellistown FC v Hathern FC

In a game that would determine who would finish runners-up to Allexton And New Parks, it was Ellistown who came up short as Hathern won a cracker 4-3.

Town knew this would be a difficult game against a more physical side in Hathern and so it proved as both sides played shadow boxing for the 1st 18 minutes. It was Hathern who landed the 1st punch when on 19 minutes Dan Hutton opened the scoring from close range.

EFC 0-1 HFC 19 mins

4 minutes later Niall Henry put Ellistown on the floor when he scored Hathern's second.

EFC 0-2 HFC 23 mins

Knowing they had to win this game, it would have been easy for Town to throw in the towel but no, the Rocky in us started the fightback.

A change in system made us more solid at the back which allowed our midfield heroes of Joshua Evans, Reece Green, Luke Higgins, and Mylo Walker to boss the game.

We got back in the game on 38 mins when a sweeping move and cross was met by a diving header from Reece Green.

EFC 1-2 HFC 38 mins

That goal changed the game with Dan Yadav and Tom Vyce now causing havoc up front, could Town go on and win it?

Half-Time went with both sides knowing they had put on a cracker in front of the large crowd.

EFC 1-2 HFC HT

With nothing to lose, Town went for Hathern who knew they just needed a point to secure 2nd and decided to protect the lead and hit Ellistown on the break. Hathern are a good side so this would be a challenge for the Ellistown chargers.

Our John Terry, Ronnie Morley on 55 mins brought Ellistown level with a towering header from a corner.

EFC 2-2 HFC 55 mins

Hathern had to step up a level and they done that by going at Ellistown. This was a classic heavyweight clash and our back 4 of George Beaumont (replaced by Sam Collins), Chris Sykes, Ronnie Morley and Craig Brooker with keeper Tyler Walker keeping Hathern at bay.

You could see every player putting in a massive shift for the shirt and unsurprising it was Ellistown who tired 1st.

This allowed Hathern to secure 2nd place through Liam Walton who scored two pile drivers on 78 and 80 mins.

EFC 2-4 HFC 80 mins

With a score line that was harsh on Town, we got ourselves off the canvas for one last time and scored last goal of the game on 89 mins when Tom Vyce's never give up attitude resulted in forcing the ball home from close range.

EFC 3-4 HFC 89 mins

Unlike Rocky 2 when Rocky climbed up the ropes to become Champion Of The World, Ellistown run out of time to pull off the greatest of comebacks and it was Hathern who took the spoils and the runners-up spot with a 4-3 victory.

This defeat ensures Ellistown will finish the season in 5th.

EFC 3-4 HFC FT

Summary

The players gave everything today and that's all that you can ask. We are proud of them.

One player who would have enjoyed today was Fran Blake. Fran today was representing East Midlands at the AoC National Competition.

As most of you are aware, Fran will be leaving Ellistown this season to take up a football scholarship in America, playing for Genesee CC.

Everyone associated with the Football Club have watched Fran develop during his time at Ellistown to become one of the best midfielders in the league and are so proud of him. Players like Fran are why Grassroots football develops young talent.

Fran go and smash it in America.