Today was the day. Judgement day, we knew what was required and we set about getting it. Victory by an eight goal margin to take the title was a very tall order but you knew this team would go for it.

AFC lined up as they had for the Debenham game with Toby in goal, Harry, Sam A, Charlie and Jack at the back, George, Kyle, Jonathan and Tom in midfield and Jake and Nick up front. The squad was completed by Samuel D, Dom, Matty, Nathanial and Sam G.

Tonight was to be Nick’s last competitive game for AFC Kesgrave as he moves onto the Academy at Ipswich Town. I am sure everyone will join me in wishing Nick all the best in his next step up the football ladder. He has been a real asset to AFC and his 42 goals in a 75 goal partnership with Jake have been a key part in the success we have had this year on the pitch. We will miss him. But I am sure he will become as big a success at Ipswich as Stefano has.

A huge crowd was in attendance with many parents and boys from Ransomes turning up to see the conclusion to an extraordinary league season, where after ten months of football it had come down to the last hour of the last match and little did we know at the time, the last minute of the season.

Ransomes and Kesgrave had traded results all season and in the final weeks had gone blow for blow resulting in this showdown with AFC needing the almost impossible task of an eight goal winning margin against a decent Felixstowe Hawks side.

The match kicked off and AFC were on fire. In the first five minutes they could have been four nil up with Nick and Jake going close and the Felixstowe keeper showing early on his talent. AFC finally had the ball in the net but the joy was quickly turned to sorrow as the Felixstowe linesman raised his flag for offside.

After fifteen minutes AFC went ahead when Jonathan took his goal well and this gave AFC some heart. Felixstowe had certainly turned up for a game and their two strikers were causing AFC some problems and always looked like they had a goal in then.

With half time approaching AFC needed some more goals. Jake and then Nick scored to take AFC three up and closer to the almost impossible target.

Half time came with no further goals. AFC were still in with a chance. They are defiantly a second half team and five goals was certainly a possibility.

Half Time AFC Kesgrave 3 Felixstowe Hawks 0

Could the boys do this? Can they wrestle the title from last season’s winners Ransomes? We were soon to find out.

AFC started like a house on fire and scored two goals in the first five minutes of the half with goals from Jonathan and Jake. They now needed three goals in 25 minutes and this was certainly doable. Nick then added the sixth with fifteen minutes to go. The crowd were going wild.

Woodbridge Town had a delegation at the match and were really impressed with the standard of the AFC play, it was not hurried and they were playing all the football. The defence were keeping the Hawks at bay and the midfield was presenting the chances for Jake and Nick.

With ten minutes to go the crowd started to get anxious and it was all AFC now. Jake hit the bar a couple of times and the Hawks keeper had the game of his life to prevent any further goals.
With five minutes to go Jake poked home Kesgrave’s seventh. One more to go and five minutes to get it in. The Hawks goal was now resembling the Alamo. Time after time the Hawks keeper seemed to have a ball magnet on him as the ball seemed to stick to him.

As AFC pressed it left gaps at the back and twice Toby saved the day by coming out to save bravely at the feet of the dangerous Hawks strikers.

With a minute to go Nick shot from outside the box and it crashed against the bar. Jake followed it up to smash home the rebound and the boys and crowd went ballistic. Then unexpectedly the Felixstowe linesman raised his flag for offside. The crowd and boys looked bemused but the referee had no other option but to disallow the goal.

Time was running out fast and AFC had one more opportunity to score which wasn’t taken. The referee blew the whistle and it was all over. So near yet so far. The boys fell to the floor heartbroken. They had had victory snatched away from them so cruelly after such a magnificent effort.

Felixstowe had not come to lie down and let AFC win the title. They played out of their skins but were still comprehensively beaten. The title was Ransomes and they can have no complaints about the effort that Martlesham, Woodbridge, Debenham and now Felixstowe had put in against AFC. They had all played out of their skins. Four wins, 19 goals, 1 against and 12 points in the last four games was still not enough and we had fallen one goal short after ten months of football. That goal could have come in any game or been conceded in any game this season so it was not just down to today.

Today the boys were simply magnificent. They gave every ounce of energy in their bodies to the cause for themselves and their friends. No one could have asked for any more. They are a credit to the team, the manager and their parents. AFC then composed themselves to shake hands with their opponents and the referee. As they approached the crowd for a warm down they were given the world’s biggest standing ovation which they thoroughly deserved. We were all very proud of them. There were a few tears shed from both players and parents. And credit to the Ransomes parents present they showed dignity in victory.

As this successful first year at eleven a side has finished it does need to be put into perspective. After ten months of football AFC finished joint top of the league on points and missed out on the title by ONE solitary goal. They scored well over 100 goals, have some of the best players in the league, play football in the right spirit and the right way and have also ended up as 2010 plate winners. Not too shabby I think you will agree.

Well done to everyone involved with this truly magnificent Under 12 team. Many of the boys have been together since they were seven years old and some even six. Let’s just pay tribute to the boys.

Toby: Without a shadow of a doubt the best keeper in the league. His positional sense is second to none and he is also a true leader. RATING 10

Harry: Has been one of the most consistent boys all season. He never has a bad game and has kept many an opposing forward in his pocket with his reading of the game and his pace. Has played all season at left back even though he is right footed to aid the team. Gets his good looks from his Dad too. RATING 10

Jack: One of the finds of the season. Has made the right back position his own and his link up play with Kyle has been a feature of the team. Great corner taking too. RATING 10

Sam A: Tough tackling centre half who has also waded in with a few goals this season. He has come of age this year and been a stalwart at the back in this quality AFC defence. RATING 10

Sam D: The final piece in the defensive jigsaw Samuel has pace to burn and he knows his job inside out. You can rely on him to play well every week. RATING 10

Kyle: He has many a trick in his locker and can beat a man with ease. The strikers have benefitted from his accurate crossing and another one who is consistently good. RATING 10

George: He is one of the best finishers at the club and weighed in with 13 goals this season. His tackling is very effective and his mazy runs inspirational. RATING 10

Tom: AFC’s playmaker and midfield general. He has stepped up from the B team to be one of the stars of the show. His heading is a great feature of his game. RATING 10

Jonathan: With the pace of a young Ryan Giggs you can often see him flying down the wing and beating players before slamming the ball into the net. Another one who has played on the left while being right footed. Made the transition from B team to first team with ease. RATING 10

Nick: What can you say about this goal machine that has not already been said? 42 goals and a partnership with Jake that has become legendary. Off now to Ipswich Town and takes the best wishes of everyone with him. RATING 10

Jake: 33 goals and many assists from this very talented striker. He is one of the leagues best players and AFC are lucky to have him. RATING 10

Nathanial: Joined midway through the season and has never let anyone down when he has played. A competitive midfielder or defender and a welcome asset to the squad. RATING 10

Charlie: He has come in at the end of the season to stamp his authority on the defence. He was outstanding against Debenham and Felixstowe. RATING 10

Matty: Can always be relied on to use his pace and skill either in defence or midfield. A model of consistency and a great option to have. RATING 10

Dom: Probably the most improved player in the squad. When called upon he is reliable and does not make mistakes, he does his job with a quiet efficiency. A very popular member of the squad and a dedicated team member. RATING 10

Sam G: Whenever he has been called upon between the sticks he is reliable and fills the boys with confidence. A popular and likable member of the squad who has even had the cheek to knock in a goal in the cup. RATING 10

Brendan, Ian, Andy, Rob and Nigel. A great management team who have taught the boys the right way to play football in the right spirit and still be very competitive. You can not ask for more. RATING 10

A mention also for Jordan and Bradley who played their part too at the beginning of the season. Thanks also to Drosdan (apologies if I have spelt that wrong) for running the line and the good people of Kesgrave for all their support.

Bring on next season.

Full Time AFC Kesgrave 7 Felixstowe Hawks 0