Match Report

Sun June 8th

vs Leven Boys

A fantastic finale to the 94s league season, as the 94s come from behind three times to win against Leven, with two goals in the last four minutes. 

This was a game which the Norries had to win to move back to the top of the league and force Leven to win their last match to take the league title.  The early stages were very tight, but the Norries suffered two injury blows when Tommy Ogston and then Ally Brown had to leave the field within the first 15 minutes.  Leven struck the first blow, when the re-shuffled Norries defence failed to clear a high free kick, and the Leven centre nipped in to head home.  However, the lead lasted barely a minute, as the Norries won a corner and CHRIS GORDON rose to head home the equaliser. 

Into the second period, the Norries were beginning to dominate.  But again, a cross ball was not cleared and Leven snatched a second goal.  Five minutes later and the Norries were back level.  A beautiful weighted pass into the left back area by Liam Kinch, saw RYAN CAMPBELL burst clear of the Leven defence and calmly slot the ball home.   Then, just as the Norries looked likely to push on, a deep Leven corner caught the defence napping and they found themselves 3-2 behind. 

In the final period, both sides were looking tired and Leven now seemed content to hold on to their lead.  But, a quick break offered them a great chance at the back post, but Andrew Jackson made a fantastic, acrobatic save from a powerful header, to keep the Norries in the game.  And his team mates took full advantage of his excellent save.  As the game entered its final two minutes and the league chairman prepared to present the league trophy to Leven, Darren Campbell was felled on the edge of the box.  A penalty it was, and RYAN CAMPBELL fired the ball into the right hard corner. 

It was now panic stations in the Leven defence.  A quick break down the left and early cross gave Michael Fleming a chance at the back post, but the ball was knocked off the line and away for a corner.  It was now into the second minute of injury time, and the corner was played into the six-yard box, where CHRIS CAMPBELL powered a header down and through the goalkeeper's legs.  That was time up, and the Norries had claimed a spectacular victory - a fantastic recovery and reward for playing hard right to the final minute. 

In the final eleven days of the season, the Norries have beaten all of their title rivals, including Leven home and away, but the league title is still in Leven's hands.  The Norries have at least forced the issue, ensuring that Leven must earn the title by winning their last match, away to Rosyth.