The Mighty Shane lined up against JFC on Sunday for both teams' final game of the 2016 OTPL season. Despite the final league positions of both sides already assured prior to kickoff, the game started with intensity.
After an end-to-end opening 10 minutes, during which both sides had a number of chances, it was JFC that opened the scoring. A long ball found the feet of a JFC player who then turned a defender, rounded the keeper, and slotted cooly into the net.
With heads lowered, Shane conceded another goal only minutes later. A miscommunication in the box led to an unclaimed ball, which was duly pounced on by an opportunistic Japanese striker. At 0-2, it was familiar territory for the Mighty Shane this season.
However, in very uncharacteristic fashion, after the goal, Shane began to push harder, getting more and more joy in the offensive third. The sustained onslaught reaped its reward just before halftime through a clever move by the attacking players. The move culminated in winger Felipe playing a brilliant through ball to Matty, who poked a composed finish into the bottom corner.
After the break, Shane continued to dominate proceedings, seeing a lot of the ball and getting off more and more chances. A deserved equalizer came around the 60th minute, as midfielder Zach's corner found the head of defender James for him to power into the net.
Shane's hold on the game continued on to the 80th minute, when another Zach to James corner bore fruit. At 3-2 with only 10 minutes to go, JFC threw everything forward and put the Shane goal under a lot of pressure. After several corners and even more great saves from goalkeeper Fox, the final whistle came, ending the game and the season.
It was a great win for the Mighty Shane, giving them their second win on the bounce and finishing the season on a high. More importantly though, the game showed that Shane can beat teams above them in the table, and come back from a deficit as well.