ENGLAND PRISON SERVICE FOOTBALL VS SCOTLAND PRISON SERVICE FOOTBALL.
THURSDAY 19TH SEPTEMBER 2024
1400 KO
CONSETT AFC
It was a warm and sunny afternoon in the Northeast, as The English Prison Service Football team lined up to play the Scottish Prison Service. The game promised to be an exciting encounter as this was the 50th year that the teams would have played. Before kicking off, the players, staff, and spectators took to a minute’s silence to remember past players and officials who we have sadly lost over the years.
Kick off commenced and the game started as expected with a very quick pace and both teams trying to take control. To both team’s dismay neither managed to get real control of the game with both teams seeing their fair share of possession. It was quite clear to see that this would be a physical game with neither team backing down.
Midway through the first half and probably against the run of play, England took the lead with some great work from Gale in the middle of the park who won the ball back well and drove the England team forward. The ball ended up at the feet of England Number 9 Burton who curled a great right footed shot into the top corner of the Scotland goal. 1-0 England!
Scotland, still on top during the game forced some great saves from England goalkeeper Adamson. Eventually, Scotland’s pressure paid off and a mistake by the England team put the Scotland striker through on goal who then managed to scrape the ball into the England net. 1-1!
The referee blew for half time and both teams went in to the dug out with the scoreline probably a fair reflection on the first 45 minutes. The second half commenced and a forced change for the England side with Taylor having to withdraw through injury. As the second half went on it was the Scotland side who were the better of the two teams having more of the ball and forcing the England team into some last ditch defending and again, forcing Adamson in goal with some great saves. Another change for England as the captain Lewis who was making his 50th appearance today had to be replaced due to an injury picked up in the first half.
Again, against the run of play England took the lead! A great free kick in by Johansen took a huge deflection off a Scotland player. 2-1 England!
The goal didn’t change the run of play as England again were forced to defend for large periods of the second half, to which they did brilliantly. England were looking dangerous on the counterattack and had a few chances to put the game to bed. The final whistle was approaching and a burst into the box by an England player forced a tackle from the Scotland defender. Penalty! The referee pointed to the spot and England had the chance to finish off the game with only minutes remaining. Burton steps up and calmly put the ball into the right-hand corner! Two for Burton and 3-1 England!
The referee blows his final whistle and the game draws to a close with England beating Scotland 3-1 in a very close fought game!
Huge congratulations to both teams who played in fantastic spirit and a huge thank you to all connected with both associations for all their hard work making this fixture possible over the years. A special thank you to Consett AFC for hosting the game.
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