Champions!
Folkestone Optimist 2nd XI travelled to bottom of the table BBHC needing a point to be confirmed league champions.
Getting off to the usual strong start, it was clear to see from the off that the Ops had far too much quality in every area of the pitch for BBHC. Folkestone opened them up at will and it took longer than usual to get the breakthrough. Isaac Hopkin picked up the ball on the edge of the D and his on target shot was deflected in by a defender, 1 nil. Ops back 4 were very comfortable and Rumsey, Furneaux, Manwaring and Triffit ran the midfield creating wave after wave of attacking play. To make matters worse for BBHC their defender taking a 16 passed it straight to Allon on the top of the D who passed it in to the back of the net, 2 nil. A short minutes later came back off the Keeprs pads and Nick Hopkin got there first to shoot, somehow the ball looped over the keeper and in to the net. Surprisingly the umpire at the other end had seen a foul and the goal was not given.
5 minutes later though Isaac Hopkin found himself in a similar position at the top of the D and beating one player shot across the keeper for Allon to deflect it in, 3 nil and half time.
Ops were trying to maintain their high quality but inevitably the game got dragged down to BBHCs level and for 10 minutes or so BBHC came in to the game with some success leading to their first short corner of the game which they converted, 3-1.
Ops refocused and Doyle set Nick Hopkin up with an unmissable opportunity, inexplicably he hit the post and hung his head in disbelief.
The 4th goal came from god build up play and this time Isaac Hopkin dispatched his shot fiercely in to the goal, 4-1.
BBHC were losing their grip and cool and late challenges and verbal exchanges started. Folkestone did their best to carry on playing but a couple of cards were given and it got a little heated, certainly the umpire was getting very emotional.
BBHC did have a good passage of play down the right and a d entry leading to a tap in for them, 4-2.
The final goal came when Isaac Hopkin carried the ball down the right, into the D and pulled it back with a bow on it for his father to convert, 5-2.
The final whistle came and Folkestone were confirmed as league champions!
Ops last game against Blackheath at home on the 6th will be a day of celebration of what has been a phenomenal season.
Well done boys, it’s been a pleasure!