It was dark, windswept and bitterly cold as club favourites the Mighty Sevens™️ strode out for a late fixture against the youthful, not-lost-a-game-played-this-season Blackheath. Undeterred by the weather, the Folkestone favourites had one thing in mind: bring the bacon home.

Blackheath were second only by a point to the Mighties, and were clearly out to continue their recent romp of victories, but our boys, well, they weren’t about to let that happen, oh no. As Mule, the Seven’s charismatic skipper pointed out prior to the game – ‘play the team in front of you, not the position’.

The game also saw the début of a certain Andy Walls, who’s excitement at being selected to play for these club legends was clearly palpable and, as he commented in the journey up to the game “I’ve been telling anyone who’ll listen about this…I’ve waited four years for this moment”. And he wasn’t about to disappoint.

The game started at pace with the Blackheath whippersnappers determined to bob and weave their way through the grizzled ranks of Folkestone’s finest, with one clear ringer who seemingly had the ball glued to his stick, but they hadn’t counted on the resolute and determined opposition who ensured that any key threats were being snuffed out. And, in reply, some great passing play from the Sevens saw the ball out to the left wing to Borris, who slipped through to Mjölnir whose cross just evaded the Mule’s stick for what would have been an early goal. Early electric stuff from the visitors.

⁠After a few early efforts that suggested Mjölnir was merely warming up the goalkeeper rather than troubling the scoreboard, he eventually dialled in his accuracy and claimed his first goal and you might say it was worth the wait: the breakthrough came courtesy of a delightfully smooth assist from Borris, who clearly had other plans than letting the miss-hits steal the headlines: with a delightful wrongfoot of the keeper it was 1-0 and first blood to the visitors.

Moments later, the team turned on the style: a slick, full-length move up the pitch found Mjölnir at the top of the 23, who coolly reversed to young Reedy who was running around the pitch like an over-excited terrier. Reedy drove into the D and popped the ball up to Borris, who, without breaking stride, volleyed it home – his first volleyed goal in recent memory, apparently. His momentum carried him, and very nearly his dignity, straight into the back of the net, capping off a move that was as clinical as it was entertaining: 2-0, and a clearly worried Blackheath…this wasn’t in the script, surely?

With Messy sidelined on a green card briefly following some questionable umpiring, the Ops midfield and back line were being pressured, but with Wallsy, clearly keen to impress and seal a more permanent move to the Sevens, prodded away threats whilst encouraging those around him. The backs were as stout as their frames; from the two-lettered OG and HB to Luce Cannon and Tumble – the latter uncharacteristically staying on his feet for a decent amount of time when he wasn’t trying to pass when prone on the floor were all putting in a shift. And, when on the rare occasion the lines were breached, sterling work from Keeper Milk Tray ensured the ball stayed out of the net.

Until it didn’t and the constant pressure from the home side saw them notch a goal back for 2-1…could this be the chance to level? Well, not if these determined visitors had anything to say about it. With ariels from Messy raining down with pinpoint accuracy, the home side’s defence was clearly rattled as the Ops pushed harder. So, it was only a matter of time before that man Mjölnir appeared once more and, following some deft play from the defence, through the mids of Gizmo and J-Lo, another delightful pass from the ever-dangerous Borris saw the goalscoring legend bag his brace as the whole of southeast London heard from his victorious roar: 3-1 and halftime.

Whilst it was clear that the home side weren’t about to concede and were to pushing to get back into the game, the Seven’s adopted their inner Gandalf in that bit from the Fellowship of the Ring and roared “You shall not pass!” Blackheath might have had the legs and the mazy skills, but they lacked the guile and determination that has become the hallmark of these club favourites; every man was now playing his part in this orchestral masterpiece that was hockey.

And, in a move that clearly pleased him more than his brace of goals – as he told anyone who would listen afterwards about it - Mjölnir lifted a beautiful aerial to the ever-enthusiastic Reedy who weaved his way though defenders to slip the ball through the keeper’s legs and 4-1.

By now, the beleaguered home side were clearly wishing the game over under the Sevens continued pressure as they sought more numbers for the scoresheet: a thunderous cross connected to Lucille – the Mule’s trusty stick - only for the volley to narrowly go wide…it was not to be electric skipper’s day to find the back of the net. And, with the literal last play of the game, the home side won a short corner to claim a consolation second goal, but as the handshakes were being exchanged, they were no doubt feeling that the scoreline was quite flattering considering the harsh lesson that some of these flash college kids had just been taught.

We caught up with an elated Skipper Mule post-match who was full of praise for his team: “Undoubtedly this was one of our best performances this season – to a man and boy, everyone played their part and put in a real shift. Thirteen of us came up today to take on what was our hardest test so far and, bar none, thirteen are returning home with their heads held high for a job well done. I couldn’t be prouder of what we’ve done and we’ve created some small daylight at the top of the table between us and second placed Holcombe.

“It was great to have Messy back in the lineup steering the play with pinpoint passes… Mjölnir, well, he was Mjölnir and once again delivered, Borris is loving life on the left, Reedy played out of his skin today and J-Lo just gets better every week…and it was great to see Wallsy enjoying his run out for the Sevens in what’s clearly a dream come true for the lad – he hasn’t stopped smiling!

“But every game in this league is a challenge – there’s no easy fixtures – so, whilst we celebrate tonight, tomorrow we reset and plan for next week, taking nothing for granted. However, if we continue to play like this, we’re a challenge for anyone and in a good place to build and keep those results coming.”