The ref blows his whistle to get the second half of this cup decider underway. Charlton kick off, and immediately they look more threatening. The Nagel twins are taking up much more advanced positions on the flanks, and Sanders slides the ball out to Ashanti on the right. She takes the ball past the full-back and plays it in towards Geno Perotti. The pass goes slightly behind him, but Jones is there to collect the loose ball. He thinks about shooting, but instead rolls the ball neatly to Perotti. Perotti has time to steady himself before shooting… Goal! Placed calmly in the bottom corner with his left foot, beyond the reach of Larsson. Moore haven’t even touched the ball. It’s a fantastic start for Charlton. Game on!
“Geno! Geno! Geno!” came the chant from the Charlton supporters.
Geno ran over and high-fived Roddy. “Thanks!” he said with relief. “It feels good to score again.”
“I told you it was only a matter of time, didn’t I?” replied Roddy, clapping him on the back. “Come on, we’ve got a cup to win.”
That goal puts Charlton back in the game, but they still need another to clinch the contest. A draw is enough for Moore, but faced with this strong Charlton attack, they will be keen to re-establish their goal cushion. And this aggressive play from Charlton will leave them vulnerable at the back, so we should see a thrilling end to what has been a great season of football.
Both teams were pushing hard for a second goal, and both Tom Larsson and Marek were tested several times. Sam was bounding up and down the touchline shouting advice and encouragement, as was Moore’s coach, and the crowd were really enjoying the thrilling end-to-end action.
Again, Charlton throw players forward, but the move breaks down on the edge of Moore’s penalty area as Sanders misplaces a pass. Shariff surges forward into the empty midfield, with several options ahead of him. Mbeki is caught in two minds and fails to close him down, and Shariff bursts into the area. Piper slides in with a desperate challenge, but Shariff skips over the tackle. Dvorski comes out to meet him, but Shariff’s silky skills take the ball past him and roll the ball gently into the net. That was a fantastic solo effort from the Moore midfielder, and Charlton have it all to do again.
Marek hoofed the ball back towards the centre circle, and Roddy moved to take the kickoff with Geno. “Two more then, mate,” he said while they waited for the Moore players to get back to their own half. “We can do it.”
“Easy,” grinned Geno, full of confidence now his barren run was over.
The Moore supporters had been cheering at their side’s goal, leaving the Charlton fans silent, but then a senior in Sam’s year yelled out. “3–2! We’re gonna win 3–2!”
A smattering of amused laughter came from the crowd, and the chant was picked up by the rest of the Charlton fans. Soon it was echoing around the field. “3–2! We’re gonna win 3–2!”
The supporters confidence made Roddy smile. He looked around at his team-mates, and saw the determination in their faces. They hadn’t worked so hard all year just to let it slip away in the final game.
Charlton kick off needing two goals again, and time is not on their side. Moore are sitting back and defending, confident that their lead will be enough to secure the points. Now Bullard is subbed off, leaving Finnigan up front on his own as Moore pack the defence. Charlton are pressing hard for the equaliser, but picking a pass through the maze of bodies is going to be very hard. Perotti is being closely marked at all times, and the Moore defence are happy to just hoof the ball away to run down the clock.
Mbeki collects the ball after another hefty clearance from Ratcliffe, and chooses to play it out wide to Eboni Nagel. Nagel shifts it back in to Sanders, who tries a speculative effort from distance. Her shot is blocked, but the rebound falls to Perotti, who crashes the volley right into the roof of the net. Fantastic strike from the young Italian, and once again Charlton are in with a shout. Two goals apiece with only two minutes left on the clock.
Geno ran to collect the ball out of the net to restart as fast as possible. The whole team was buzzing, and the fans were erupting.
“Come on!” shouted Sam from the touchline. “You can do it!”
Moore kick off, and will look to waste time however they can, running the ball towards the corner flag and taking as long as possible over goal kicks, but Charlton are in the ascendancy now. Mbeki intercepts yet another pass, and strides forward before passing to Jones. Jones notices an onrushing defender, and plays the ball to Sanders. Sanders gives it straight back to Jones, and now he’s got space to push into. The ref is looking at his watch. Only a couple of defenders separate Jones and the goal, and he gets his head down and starts to run. The first defender is beaten purely by power and pace, the second by a cheeky nutmeg, and Jones is into the penalty area. Larsson comes off his line and forces him out wide. Surely it’s too tight an angle for Jones to score from now, but he spins to shield the ball from the diving keeper, and he’s almost on the touchline. Jones chips the ball across the goal without having time to look up, and Perotti is there! He heads the ball firmly into the open net, and charges off down the pitch with outstretched arms. Left foot, right foot, and now one with his head; Geno Perotti has sealed a perfect hat trick, and Charlton have stolen the cup! That was a true team goal to finish off a great match and an incredible season.
The Charlton fans were celebrating, yelling their heads off. The noise was deafening, but it was the sweetest sound Roddy had heard all year. And then a figure he recognised was coming onto the pitch, accompanied by the headmaster. Roddy looked at Geno, but his friend seemed even more astonished than he was. Because there, strolling out with a big grin on his face was Geno’s dad, holding the first-year cup. Geno caught Roddy’s eye and they grinned at each other.
Sam quickly gathered the team together in the centre circle, and lined them up ready to shake Luca’s hand. Roddy had seen trophy ceremonies lots of times on TV, but had never before taken part in one that was so professionally run.
“What a fantastic game,” said Luca into a microphone that had been quickly set up on the pitch. “Both teams played some amazing football, but in the end, there can only be one winner. This year’s first-year champions are … Charlton House!”
A massive cheer erupted from the crowd, with even Jack and the other Moore fans showing their respect for the victors. Luca moved along the line shaking everyone’s hand and giving them a few words of congratulation and encouragement. Roddy didn’t see him spend any extra time with Geno, but there was definitely a special warmth to the smile and the handshake given to his hat-trick hero son.
As captain, Roddy was the last in line. “Well played,” Luca said as he shook his hand. “That was a very mature performance. You played for the team, and set up all three goals. I’d follow you as captain any day.”
Roddy glowed with pride. He wanted to thank Geno’s dad for all his advice the other day, but already the cup was being thrust into his hands. Resisting the urge to raise it above his head immediately, he beckoned Keira and Geno over to share in the glory. Keira and Roddy grabbed a handle each, and Geno supported the base. As the trio held it aloft, the cheers from the crowd grew even greater and, just for a moment, Roddy pictured himself lifting the World Cup for Wales.
The cup was passed around the rest of the team, and then Marek lifted Geno up onto his shoulders and ran off towards the Charlton fans, whooping with delight. It really was just the way Roddy had always imagined it could be.
Amid all the chaos, Mr Jenkins appeared. Roddy looked at him in surprise. “I thought you were ill!” he blurted out.
Mr Jenkins laughed. “I haven’t been at all well,” he agreed. “But I’m feeling much better now. I’ll be back at school next week, but I couldn’t miss this match, could I?”
“No way!” agreed Roddy, delighted that his coach had been there to witness their victory.
“You gave an inspirational performance, Roddy,” said Mr Jenkins. “Sam made an excellent choice in making you captain. Keep it up next year and you might be captain of the first team, too. And congratulations on being the only Charlton team to pick up a trophy. I’ll look forward to seeing your progress through the school over the next few years.”
Roddy’s day could hardly have got any better, and it wasn’t over yet. It was time for the team photo. They all lined up, Roddy in the middle as captain, with Keira and Geno at his sides. Marek and Jimmy were behind them with the other tall players. Sam and Mr Jenkins stood to the left, looking delighted.
Roddy was grinning broadly as the cameraman took the photos. It was a genuine smile, not his usual school-photo expression. What’s more, he knew that over the summer holidays the picture would be put up in the main hall of the school. On the wall of reigning champions, it would be there at the start of term for the next intake of first years to aspire to.
Roddy couldn’t wait to take a copy home for his parents. But it wasn’t only his family he wanted to show the photograph to. As soon as he got home, he’d be rushing round to meet Bryn Thomas. Not only would Bryn see that Roddy had made captain at last; Roddy’s team had won the cup, and Roddy’s footballing dreams were coming true.