Geminis & Rangers Play Out GU16 Club Derby Thriller
By John Woods
Floodlights lit up the darkness as the last game of the day was ready to begin. There was hope, there was despair. There was controversy. The match had everything. Geminis were irresistible in their first period of dominance. For the reigning T3 champions, it was a half to forget. Rangers were in disarray, with passes going astray and players at sixes and sevens. In contrast, for Geminis, three was a magic number.
Half time: Geminis 3 Rangers 0
The Rangers players traipsed back for their half time team meeting in trepidation. But instead of animation, everything was calm. The next goal was going to be crucial. If the Rangers were to have any chance of a miraculous comeback, it had to come from them.
No sooner had the second half started than disaster struck. A gaping hole appeared in the left full-back channel, and Geminis exploited it. Geminis outnumbered half-backs Kathleen A and Ella K once again, and Geminis made it 4-0. Belief and incredulity were evident in equal measures. The second half had only begun, and Rangers were again undone. But before Geminis could savour their latest goal, Rangers responded. Imogen W peeled off her marker, and the ball was in the back of the net — 4-1. A crumb of comfort, but at least it was a goal, and who knows what can happen when you score a goal, right?
From the restart, Rangers won a penalty corner, and Kathleen A dispatched with aplomb — 4-2. Geminis didn't look too concerned. They still had this game in the bag. But now Louise O for Rangers made her way to the edge of the D. She unleashed a goalbound shot. But the umpire blew her whistle to disallow, keeping the score at 4-2. Geminis blew a sigh of relief. But wait, there was a review. Louise O's feet were outside the D, but the impact was inside. GOAL! It was now 4-3, and the game was in the balance.
Rangers were showing more urgency and purpose. This match was there for the taking. No sooner was everything before them than they had nothing before them again. In their desire for an equaliser, they lost their discipline. Geminis took advantage and scored again — 5-3. Rangers hit back with another goal from Louise O, bringing the score to 5-4. Geminis sensed the need for another goal for safety. They got it through Zara T — 6-4.
Rangers weren't done. Back they came. Imogen W raced down the right wing and put in a cross that Molly H converted, making it 6-5. Rangers would not lie down. Now, Rangers were in the ascendency. It was only a matter of time before the comeback was complete.
Then came the final controversy. The umpire blew the final whistle. Spectators looked at their watches — there were still five minutes to go. Rangers had come from 4-0 down and were within a whisker of pulling off one of the comebacks of all time. But time was not on their side. For Geminis, it was the best of times; for Rangers, it was the worst of times.
Full-Time: Geminis 6 Rangers 5