Men's Capital League 2 – Slacks Creek 1–2 The Gap
The Gap prevailed in an eventful night of football which overflowed with passion on and off the field in this Capital League 2 relegation battle fixture.
Last week's heroic win over Oxley looked a distant memory in a scrappy first half, during which The Gap had three good chances but fell behind to a sucker punch at the midway mark.
It looked at half time that we were finished as Slacks Creek grew in stature after the goal and we grew exasperated by the match official's deicsions and lost our focus.
Tough talking at half time meant a different side appeared for the second half, and but for some amazing saves by the Slacks keeper, we would have equalised.
Emotions were really heating up as time ticked away, when with about 20 minutes to go, centre forward Kevin Howe got his head to a long ball, which fell to Glen Andrews to head home and set off on a sprint towards the dug out and The Gap's delighted and raucous support.
A first half yellow card meant Howe has played his last game for the club as he heads home to Scotland the week after next and will be suspended for next Saturday's game.
He was determined to go out with a bang and driven on by the side's relentless push for a winner, his moment of glory came with five minutes remaining when he latched onto a goalmouth scramble and half volleyed the ball into the roof of the net before being submerged by players, with Gap supporters, coaches and subs, dancing up and down the touchlines.
The last few minutes were agonisingly long and when the referee finally blew, the cheer which went up sounded like it was a home game at Walton Bridge.
It was an incredible night, and credit must go to the players and coaching staff for turning around the club's season when relegation beckoned after an abysmal run of six defeats. The last two wins and six points are like gold dust as relegation would have been disastrous for the club.
Next week the boys take on Redcliffe at home in another vital clash as they look for the win to ensure Capital League 2 status for 2016.
Please come along and support the team who are kicking off at 6pm.