On Wednesday the 28^th of November storm Diana wasn’t the only visitor we had at the school! Holy Child Community School travelled here to John Scottus to compete against our boys’ soccer team in what was an historic day for John Scottus. This was the first time that John Scottus hosted a competitive game on our own premises and it did not disappoint!

The game started at a frantic pace with both sides creating chances. 15 minutes into the first half JSS thought they had taken the lead when Jack Bruton found the net from close range but was unfortunately ruled offside. On the half hour mark, James Woods found the top corner of the net with a spectacular effort from 25 yards. The lead lasted less than 10 minutes with Holy Child finding the net soon after. Cian Doherty and Otis Doran were rock-solid at the back along with Anun and Louis Businelli holding their own. James Woods, Oscar Yu and Francisco Gastaldi were proving to be a real handful in the middle of the field with Holy Child struggling to contain them.  The sides went in all square at the break despite JSS having the better chances.

The second half started like the first with both teams creating chances. JSS went 2-1 up when Louis Businelli finished smartly. 10 minutes later Holy Child were all squared again when they found the back of the net. For next 20 minutes Holy Child dominated and with the aid of a storm Diana wind they hit JSS with 2 quick goals to go 4-2 up. It could and maybe should have been more only for Nathan Boissier pulling off a flurry of fine saves in goal. Things however got worse for the home side on 60 minutes when they found themselves 5-2 down with Holy Child scoring a well worked team goal.

Heading into the last 1/3 of the game and 5-2 down the JSS boys never gave up.  Edward Yun, Eric Yun and Adam Free started to pull JSS back into the game with some fine defensive tackles and interceptions. Both James Mungavin and James Greene were causing problems upfront  and their hard work finally paid off when James Greene got on the end of a cross to send the ball into the roof of the net and reduce the deficit to 2 goals. JSS were now dominating with both Euan Gallagher and Gabriel Mullins wining tackles and showing skill and composure on the ball far beyond their years. Anthony Adewuyi was now passing the ball well in the middle of the field. All this work paid off when Christian Madden finished superbly to make it 5-4 to Holy Child.

Entering into the last 12 minutes JSS were pushing for an equaliser when Oscar Yu was brought down in the penalty area, this was waved away with the referee giving no penalty. Things got worse 2 minutes later when JSS still thinking about the penalty decision completely switched off, allowing Holy Child to score and go 6-4 up.

While all the news and radio stations were talking about the force of storm Diana JSS were creating their own storm. 2 minutes after going 6-4 down Brunton found himself in space and able to run at the Holy Child defence, he squeezed the ball past the keeper to make it 6-5 with 6 minutes left to play. From the restart JSS won the ball back and launched another attack, Madden controlled the ball beautifully in the box and sent the ball crashing to the back of the net for one of the goals of the game. Incredibly JSS were now level 6-6. The supporters on the side-line were now in full voice and were wishing JSS forward to get the winner. And that’s just what they did, Louis Businelli skipped past one defender and sprinted down the left wing where he found Madden in space who netted his 3^rd goal of the game and put JSS 7-6 up with less than 60 seconds left on the clock.

The action wasn’t finished yet Holy Child manged to get a corner kick with time just up. They desperately threw everyone forward and from the corner the ball rattled the JSS goalpost, bounced on the line and was desperately cleared to safety. The final whistle went and JSS were the winners!

An excellent team display from JSS!

A big thank you to Eamon and Christie for getting the pitch ready in difficult conditions.

Kind Regards

JSS Soccer Team