Wandsworth Athletic 7 - 7 The Number 4 Kings

A brutal late equaliser denies Wandsworth three points...

What a cruel, cruel game football can be. The injustice of it can sometimes make you wonder why you even bother. Certainly the players and fans of Wandsworth Athletic will be thinking that today, following this contest against The Number 4 Kings. They should hold up their heads with pride though. They gave everything they had. And they deserved so much more.

This was always likely to be a close one. Both teams went into the game with identical records – played four, won three, drawn one. Indeed, it was always a tight affair, never more than a couple of goals in it. The early exchanges were tense. Wandsworth were rightly awarded a penalty for an early infringement. This, however, prompted the opposition to subsequently appeal for any frivolous incident around the penalty box. It was pathetic, desperate, spineless and infuriating. Kings’ persistent whining was ring-led by a foul circus clown. A bandana-wearing walking cliché, fresh from a gap year to Asia.

Wandsworth did their best to snub this buffoon, and focus on regaining the lead instead, having slipped 2-1 behind. Michel was dominating the final third, and had struck thrice already when fate played an ugly hand. Whilst rifling home an unstoppable drive to make the score 4-3, Michel landed in awkward fashion. His knee was jarred – the pain was evident. Wandsworth’s number 9 was wretchedly carried from the pitch, naturally to a standing ovation. The club will await nervously the results of an upcoming scan. Michel didn’t deserve this, but he will come back stronger, of that there is little doubt.

Reduced to the bare bones with half an hour still on the clock, the odds did not look favourable for the team in white. Kings were fresh, and had the luxury of several options. Surely they would go on to win handsomely…

But what a response Wandsworth gave. They sat deep and defended as if their lives depended on it. Block after block. Tackle after tackle. Lung-busting run after lung-busting run. Heart, courage and then more heart. Platt tucked in and ran and ran. Rickard won every challenge, and then won another. Thorn held the ball with strength and aplomb, regularly fending off three men at a time. Snelling made save after save. And Sasan Molaie gave a performance to make everyone connected with the club proud. What an outstanding effort from Wandsworth’s number 2. His bravery was unsurpassable. With 10 minutes to go he somehow found another gear – how was this possible? At 6-6, Molaie then had the audacity to surge forward for the umpteenth time and give Wandworth the lead. It was absolutely nothing less then they deserved. They had contained a speedy side with assurance. They had created chances too. They had played with phenomenal desire and ability.

Then fate decided to strike again. With less than a minute to go, Kings bundled in a scruffy equaliser. The whistle went seconds later. Wandsworth looked to the heavens.

They were right to look up though, to drag their chins from the floor. There was nothing but pride to take from this fantastic display. And following such an exhibit of camaraderie and character, the future looks unerringly bright.