Returning to action after a week’s break, our heroes the Mighty Sevens™️ found themselves back in London for the return fixture against the senior Blackheath & Elthamians: The Highwaymen. But who would be doing the smash and grabbing and riding off with the spoils? Well, if you’ve read the headline, there’s a strong chance you know who, but let’s tell the story, nonetheless.

With their controversial loss to Holcombe still fresh in their minds, our boys knew that needed to revert to winning ways to keep the pressure on at the top of the table after Holcombe leapfrogged to pole position on a superior goal difference. But, with several absentees, they were travelling with just the one sub, so their work would be cut out against their experienced hosts. So, following a rousing team talk, Folkestone were quick out of the gates, determined to stamp their authority quickly.

The pitch and initial pace of play had other ideas though as with less than electric opening ten minutes, that whilst seeing some good possession and passing, that final touch was just missing.

But, this wasn’t to be the story for long. Skipper Mule, evading his shadow marker drove into the D to win a short corner. Messy dragged out on a slow, slow pitch without the ball reaching its intended destination. The ever-present Borris collected and swiftly played back to Messy who with a little dancing around unleashed a shot for Mjölnir – playing on his 40th birthday to, in his words ‘put his body on the line’ which, translated, means ‘stood in the right place’ to deflect past the keeper and in to open his account for the day.

The Ops were now clearly getting into their stride and were using the pitch and players well, feeding the ball across the back line from Luce Cannon to HB and Crab and Tumble – the latter remarkably staying on his feet for a change – to connect well with the midfields of Well Played Riley and The Fronz. Shots were starting to become more frequent for the Sevens, with the Mule forcing a couple of saves and young Dave Reedy – all limbs and ginger hair - coming achingly close. You had the feeling that it was just a matter of time before the second call was to come.

Which was an accurate feeling, as that’s exactly what happened. Following some snapping play by the Fronz, Borris threaded to Messy who slickly passed through to Mjölnir who, taking the ball on his reverse shot at a ludicrously tight angle to roof the ball in the host’s net – and some open mouths from their defence and 2-0.
The hosts might have been stunned, but they certainly weren’t down, as it wasn’t too long before they pulled one back with a ball fortunate to finds its mark from some bungled play.

So, our boys responded in the best way they knew how: with a goal. Another tireless run from Dave saw him charge into the far right of the D and with Mjölnir screaming for the square ball, supplied exactly that for a simple tap in from the birthday boy forward and his hattrick and the score at 3-1.

Following halftime, our boys were determined to turn up the heat on the hosts and came out quickly, closing down the Highwaymen’s forays and forcing them to make errors and pushing forward at every opportunity. The Fronz and Dave were combining well in the midfield to keep the home side on the back foot and, when they did break through, the stalwart defence from HB and the Crab along with some great saves from Milk Tray kept them at bay.

Then, as per his footballer namesake, our man Messy decided the time had come for another mazy run. Weaving in and out of the hosts with the balletic grace of Darcy Bussell off of Strictly back in the day, he then threaded the ball through to, you’ve guessed it, Mjölnir who roofed his shot past the hapless keeper and 4-1. The visitors were in their stride now…until a short corner for the hosts saw them convert for 4-2 and some belief that they could possibly get back into the game.

But our gangly young terrier Dave had other ideas. Having come achingly close earlier from yet another Borris cross, this time assisted with a beautiful cross that was a gilt-edged invitation for – yes – Mjölnir to convert for his 5th of the game and, incredibly, 36th goal of this season’s campaign: 5-2.

It should have been 6-2 shortly after, when the enigmatic skipper Mule, having a great game, threw himself towards the goal at full stretch to connect to a powerful cross from Mjölnir only to miss by the shortest of measures, with the keeper acknowledging that he was already beaten had it connected. Seemingly, it was just not to be our skipper’s day to find the back of the net.

With the Crab sidelined on a green card after a fracas with an oppo forward, the Mule stepped into his place for a home side short corner. However, the shot seemed to just wriggle past HB at the post for more of a consolation goal for the hosts and for the game to conclude shortly thereafter at 5-3.

Post match, we caught up with skipper Mule for his thoughts on the game: “Despite a good result against these lads early in the season, we knew that they’re a good, experienced team, so we didn’t take anything for granted. The pitch was slow, and it felt for some time that our play was too, but we dug in, and the play turned in our favour as the hard work started to pay off.

“Each and every man today put in a shift and did his part – no weak links, just commitment and determination to get the result, and I’m hugely proud of every one of my players. With Holcombe now topping the table – albeit on a significant goal difference - all we can do in this two-horse race is ensure we keep winning and that they slip up; after we’ve led the table all season, the pressure’s now on them to keep this up, but rest assured, we’ll be on them until the final whistle of the final game.”