Twas the game before the Christmas break, Cliftonville Men’s 1s, fresh off a 9–1 demolition of Blackheath, travelled to Old Williamsonians looking to wrap up the year with another win and head into the festive period on a high.
The opening half, however, was far from the dominant displays Ville have produced so often this season. They did strike early, within five minutes a long ball found Ned, who squared to Oscar, and he calmly lifted the ball over the diving keeper. But the spark didn’t ignite. Old Wills grew into the game, equalised, and then punished Ville again from a short corner to take a 2–1 lead into the break.
The halftime team talk needed to turn things around get the team up for the second half. It seemed to have worked when worked when within a minute of the restart, Captain Mees had an effort denied after a sublime aerial from full-back Josh and neat play from Ned, with Oscar’s rebound also blocked. Ville looked alive again. Soon after, Isaac threaded a ball through to Mees, who rounded the keeper and slotted home to level the score. Confidence surged. Minutes later, Mees was fouled by the keeper while trying to beat him again, he had been watching R9 compilations this week, winning a penalty flick. Isaac stepped up and coolly converted to put Ville ahead for the first time.
The intensity was draining, and with cards shown, Cliftonville struggled to maintain their rhythm. Old Wills capitalised to make it 3–3. But Ville weren’t done. After a midfield battle, they forced a short corner, and Isaac delivered once more to restore the lead. With 15 minutes left, tired legs turned it into a bit of a hang on job, but Old Wills could not capitalise.
At the final whistle, Cliftonville had secured the points and, for the first time this season, top spot in the league. A winter wonderland indeed.
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