BLOOD, SWEAT AND MEARS

Hall Green United 7 Shelf Panthers 3

In what could prove to be his last competitive match for the Panthers, inspirational captain Scott Williams bravely played on despite a nose injury which needed emergency repairs at half-time.

As blood oozed down his son’s face, coach and laundry guru Tony warned him: “Don’t get it on your clothes – I’ve got to wash them.”

This shrewd tactical advice seemed to galvanise the Panthers into action after a lacklustre first-half display which saw them trail 5-0 at the break.

The deficit could have been even worse if it hadn’t been for an outstanding display of midfield running, passing and tackling by Adam Renard on his return to the side.

But after the break, Shelf looked like a different side. Urged on by a Man of the Match performance by Tom Wood on the left flank, they took the game to one of the league’s top teams.

Tobias Mears took his goal tally for the season to 21 after ten minutes of the second half with a typically powerful shot following a lovely pass from Robert on right.

The Panthers’ second goal two minutes later was made by goalkeeper Luke, who launched a giant kick upfield to the edge of the Hall Green penalty area. As the ball bounced at waist-height, Robert clipped it athletically past the advancing keeper for his 15th goal of the campaign.

Even when the home side stretched their lead to 7-2, Shelf continued to battle. With four minutes left, they threw caution to the winds, sending everyone except Luke forward for a corner. The ball dropped to Adam, who stroked it home from close-range for a well-deserved goal.

In the dying minutes, Jonny and Nat both went close as the Panthers threw the kitchen sink at their opponents – being careful not to spill Tony’s bluebell and apple-blossom bloodstain removal liquid, of course.