With key players missing, it was always going to be a tough ask for OIAM to come and take the 3 points. We set up with a 5-3-2 formation looking to try and catch BFA on the counter. 

As the early stages progressed, it was the home team firmly on the front foot, with Maruf making two early saves from the tricky Erling Haaland lookalike in attacking midfield for BFA. 

The home team continued on the attack and it took outstanding last man blocks from Ahsan, Adam and Daniel to keep the score 0-0 midway through the first half.

The home team then created their best chance of the half as a corner was swung deep into the box. The BFA central defender looked to have a simple tap in at the back post but his effort skimmed the post and went wide. 

The first attack for OIAM came around the 15-minute mark as Manny played a delicious ball through to Amaan whose chipped attempt landed on the roof of the net. Manny then created another wonderful chance for Rahat whose attempt just went wide of the post. 

The rest of the half was like a scene from Rocky with both teams taking it in turns to attack at a furious end to end pace, but nobody managed to land an all-important knockdown as the score at half-time was all square at 0-0.

With the darkness slowly setting and no floodlights, it was a 15-minute second half and the end to end football continued. 

Manny, who was pulling the strings in midfield, played Amaan through on goal and his effort was just poked wide of the post. 

OIAM then hit the post as a deep corner was met by Rahat’s volleyed effort that looked destined for the bottom corner, but it wasn’t to be. The signs were positive though, as it was the home team now on the ropes. 

Then, with 5 minutes to go, OIAM got another corner. The ball was swung in and Rahat again got something on the cross which, unfortunately for BFA the ball hit their central defender and deflected into the bottom corner! 1-0 to One In A Million! 

The home side created several chances in the last couple of minutes in search for an equaliser, but the OIAM team defended like warriors and really dug deep to block, head and clear every attack thrown their way. 

FULL TIME and with 4 wins from 4 games, it could be back to back league titles heading back to Cliffe Terrace! 

It was by far, the best team performance I have seen at One In A Million Free School. Mrs Collins and I were so proud of the boys!”.

Mr Kaine, Mrs Collins