Carillon win title in last game thriller for second promotion
BEESTON 7TH XI 2 LOUGHBOROUGH CARILLON 1ST XI 3 LOUGHBOROUGH Carillon won the league in dramatic style on Saturday in their final game of the season.
A three horse title race between themselves, Nottingham Players and opponents Beeston had given the season an exciting end. The group knew that only a positive result would confirm the title and there was little room for mistakes.
This became apparent as news filtered through that
Players had indeed won their match, putting them temporarily top of the league.
With Beeston needing a win to go up it was they who started the brightest with the legs of a full squad being put into action. They took the lead early on through a short corner which was hit hard into the backboard past keeper Christie.
A lot of teams might have wilted under the pressure of expectation and the noisy home crowd but this team have developed a resilient mentality. They came roaring back into the game and drew level as Mark Armson got on the end of some neat build up to slam home. Carillon did not stop.
The two stand out performers of the first half, Patel and Carter, linked up beautifully for a second. Before, Carter, after turning his man inside out, laid it on a plate for Patel to fire home his second and Carillon’s third.
The second half was all about resolve, Beeston scored a goal with 25 minutes left of the game. This gave them the desire to go on and win and put the visitors defence under enormous pressure. However, the teams determination shone through again. The defence marshalled by captain Tom Ward and Christie between the sticks, saw off the attacks and confirmed a fine victory.
It was Carillon’s second consecutive promotion since formation. With the squad even younger than the previous year, this was in many ways even better and credit must go to the whole team. Not to be out done Carillon 2nd XI, having confirmed their own consecutive promotion a few weeks ago rounded out the season with a 7-1 win against Atherstone.
Four promotions in two years is a credit to the whole club and the efforts of the committee, coaches, players and parents alike. With some exciting summer developments to come, this is a club on the up.
The ladies seek to confirm their own promotion next week in a winner takes all clash with Leicester City at Loughborough Grammar School.