FSA PRO London Secures Third Place with Dominant Victory Over Kinetic Football Academy Black
In a thrilling encounter marking the finale of the ECFA Men's Cat 1 league season, FSA PRO London displayed their mettle with a resounding 5-1 victory over Kinetic Football Academy Black. With both teams eyeing pivotal outcomes, the stakes were high at Whyteleafe FC, and FSA PRO rose to the occasion, securing a vital win to clinch third place and book their spot in the National Shield.
The first half unfolded with a tense deadlock as both sides grappled for dominance. Despite glimpses of promise from FSA PRO's Miller McDonald and Sonny Cooper, the opening 45 minutes remained goalless. While Kinetic Black capitalised on FSA PRO's lapses in pressing, their efforts lacked the finishing touch required to break the impasse. FSA had a few golden chances, one with Miller McDonald when the ball was whipped in from the right, Miller allowed the ball to bounce at the back post, set himself but lashed it back across the face of goal with his left foot. Sonny Cooper had the opportunity of the half, Miller McDonald got down the left, beat his man and drilled one across goal for a tap in, Sonny smashed it over the bar from 8 yards.
Half-time proved to be a turning point as FSA PRO emerged revitalised, spurred on by a motivational team talk from coaches James Laughton, Mark. Smith and Jacques Michell. The second half saw a dramatic shift in momentum as Alastair Mills broke the deadlock nine minutes in, nodding home a precision corner from Charlie Bland to put FSA PRO ahead.
However, Kinetic Black retaliated swiftly, capitalising on defensive miscommunication to draw level. Undeterred, FSA PRO intensified their efforts, with Miller McDonald and debutant Sean Michael spearheading the attack. In the 65th minute, the game took a dramatic turn when FSA PRO's goalkeeper Owen Jenkins suffered an injury following a clash with the Kinetic striker. With Jenkins forced off the pitch, number 10 Oliver Coonan stepped up to the challenge a selfless display of team spirit.
The breakthrough came in the 75th minute, as McDonald’s incisive play set up Sean Michael for his first Cat 1 league goal, restoring FSA PRO's lead.
Alastair Mills further solidified FSA PRO's advantage in the 78th minute with his clinical brace, showcasing his lethal combination of speed and composure in front of goal, 3-1. With Kinetic Black reeling, FSA PRO continued to press forward, with Michael and Joseph Matassa wreaking havoc on the opposition defence.
Oliver Coonan was looking relaxed between the sticks until he found himself facing a pivotal moment. Racing out to challenge a Kinetic attack, only to concede a penalty with a mistimed challenge. With tensions running high, the stage was set for a showdown between Coonan and the Kinetic penalty taker. As the referee signalled for the penalty to be taken, the mind games commenced. Eyeing each other intently from 12 yards the FSA keeper and the Kinetic penalty taker engaged in a battle of nerves. In a breathtaking display of athleticism and determination, Coonan dived to his right, denying the Kinetic penalty taker. Huge moment in the game keeping the score 3-1.
Minutes later FSA went down the other end with their deadly strike force. Alastair Mills flicking the ball over the top to Sean Michael who was full of confidence and lifted the ball over the keeper into the far corner for 4-1. Three minutes of stoppage time remaining Kinetic looked deflated. In a display of selflessness and teamwork, Sean Michael opted to assist Alastair Mills for his hat-trick goal in stoppage time, sealing FSA PRO's emphatic 5-1 triumph and securing third place in the league standings.
The victory sets the stage for FSA PRO's journey in the National Shield, with a home draw against Bridgewater and Taunton College beckoning in the first round. With confidence soaring and momentum on their side, FSA PRO look hungry to make a formidable challenge for silverware as they march towards the final at Accrington Stanley FC or Doncaster Rovers FC on May 8th, 2024.