After having lost just one game all season Belmont FC’s U12’s could be considered unlucky to only have finished in 2nd place just 2 points behind Southern Lakes. With a goal difference that belittled the other teams in the competition (81 goals for and just 6 against) the Belmont side went into their Grand Final full of hope and confidence and a belief that they could win, but it was never going to be an easy task.
We reached out to the coach, Clynt, and this is what he had to say, “It was a day those kids will never forget! A hard fought back and forth football match [we were] missing one of the star defenders [and] the team rose to the challenge I laid out for them, to just play. To play for themselves, to play for each other, to simply enjoy the game they love!! They went down early in the 1st half shipping in a single goal managing to hold the score into the 2nd half where we came alive equalling early on. Both teams couldn’t be separated in extra time so to penalty shoot out it went. With the smallest goal keeper in the competition he stood tall and then dove to his left to make his 1st save! We score our 1st shot. They scored the 2nd shot. We missed our 2nd. With our brave keeper standing up saving the 3rd shot. We scored our 3rd they score their 4th so do we. For the 5th and last our brave boy stands tall and saves another incredible shot!! His brother stepping up slotting away our 5th making it 4-2… the team chasing after the keeper with a big stacks on!! They all played with heart… what a day.”
What a day indeed. Congratulations to the players, the volunteers and the families enduring what has been a tough year and coming out on top.
