Lions and AJS Close Season...

Some two weeks after the penultimate games, the CSSFL season finally concluded on Sunday, writes Darren “Statto” Jones (statto@cssfl.info, www.cssfl.info).

Result (Sunday 26th May):

Division One: Breachwood Lions 2 AJS Tyres Broadhall 1.

The final match of the season was played on a glorious morning on a lovely flat surface at Breachwood Green. Depleted visitors AJS Tyres Broadhall had to call on 54 year old Mark Stevens to start the game.
The first half saw a good game, with Breachwood Lions going closest by hitting the post and then seeing AJS' Rob Stevenson brilliantly back heel Sam Cahnam's effort off the goal line. Stevens was replaced at half-time by the more youthful AJS manager Mark Hancock, some 18 months his junior. Breachwood got on top and AJS 'keeper Perry Thompson made a great save from a James Mason shot before they made the breakthrough after 62 minutes when substitute Ollie Mason slotted Iaian Turkentine's pass under the 'keeper. AJS always carried a threat, particularly though Andy Lee, who had a superb game and caused the Lions defence lots of problems. Just five minutes were left when the pivotal moments of the game happened. Firstly, manager Hancock's excellent goal bound header from Rob Stevenson's corner was headed off the line and the 'keeper made a good save from Tim Chesworth's follow up shot. From the resulting clearance, Breachwood added the second and decisive goal through Ollie Mason again. AJS went for broke and pushed centre-backs Brad Westall and Matt Dimond up front. Immediately, they caused chaos and captain Westall was taken out for a penalty, which he smashed home himself. Breachwood held on to win 2-1 and leapfrog AJS in the table to finish halfway in fifth.