BOA Constricted

Lucas Bryan scored a dramatic 99th-minute stoppage-time penalty winner as Tile Cross U13s came from behind to beat BOA academy in a thrilling quarter-final match in the Sam Carpenter Cup.

In a game full of drama from start to finish, it was BOA academy who took the lead after a calamitous error at the back let the opposition striker in to have a free shot on goal leaving regional golden glove winner Luke Flynn helpless. Despite lacking their usual rhythm, TCA were so close to an equaliser if it wasn’t for the opposition keeper parrying away Lucas Bryan’s 20-yard effort just before the end of the break.

TCA went in at half time 1-0 down, and after a rousing half-time team talk from their manager, came racing out of the blocks in the second half with increased passion. They managed to get their reward as Ahmad Bidar scored from a goalmouth scramble (you can imagine the scenes) after the opposition conceded an indirect freekick from a deliberate backpass.

TCA were then punished almost immediately after the goal, with the opposition BOA winger putting in a dangerous cross in the corridor of uncertainty. Unfortunately, one of TCA’s defenders was unfortunate enough to score in his own goal. Cue scenes of Paul Gascoigne’s tears in 1990!

TCA were not to be fazed, however. They showed their character values of resilience and hit back as Lucas Bryan raced onto a lovely through-ball to net in the bottom corner towards the end of the match to send their fans wild. TCA managed to complete the comeback as Lucas Bryan won a penalty in the dying moments of the game as BOA protested their innocence to the referee. This was cleared by VAR and Lucas Bryan stepped up to convert the penalty which sent their travelling fans in the stands into pandemonium, kissing his badge in front of the supporters. As the final whistle went, the TCA players dropped to their knees on this famous win at the Stadio de Small Heath.

Please congratulate the boys if you see them – they should be proud of themselves and fully deserve it.

Thank you to Miss Matthews for driving the minibus.

Mr. Ip

Teacher of PE & STEM Co-ordinator