|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
| Wigan and Borgis go to war...again! |
Borgis FC may have stemmed the bleeding in their faltering season, however, they are still on the verge of relegation from Division 3d heading into the final day. Borgis have gone unbeaten in their last four games - winning two and drawing two - but a period of five defeats in a row has cost them severely.
Worryingly, before their form took a turn for the worst, some were calling Borgis potential promotion candidates, massive claims when you factor in that for the past two seasons dramatic endings have saved Borgis from the embarrassment of relegation. And here they were being talked about possibly going up a division.
The bubble soon burst. After back-to-back defeats against Running Wild and a shocking cup exit, the fragile confidence of the Borgis squad was once again exposed. No matter what was said off the field by Borgis manager Adam Moran, his men were completely broken and spiralling into trouble. Five weeks without a win, without a single goal scored; Borgis sank quicker than England's hopes of winning Euro 2016.
But you have to hand it to Moran. Even after two seasons when the pressure was piled high on Borgis and the odds were stacked against them, they kept fighting. Even when relegation seemed inevitable - twice! They kept their heads above water. And here we are again: Borgis wrote off and talk of Moran's job under pressure. "There's no way they can survive this time!"
Except they can. By the skin of their teeth Borgis can still survive. However, they must rely on help from elsewhere. That predicament comes after an inspired 0-3 victory away at Wigan Roamers (the team they must fight with for safety). It was a victory that broke off the shackles of doom and reenergised Borgis. Following that was a hard-fought 0-0 draw against Navigation Boys and then a 6-0 demolition of wooden spoons Boleyn Dynamo 2016. The confidence was suddenly back in the players, delivering three clean sheets and nine goals in three games.
Then came Tuesday night's penultimate round of the season. Borgis were at home against Nottinghamer Wald, a side that has failed to beat Borgis on three previous occasions. It was always a battle for Borgis to secure those points and this would be no different.
Moran's team selection for the game raised a few eyebrows. Star striker Rasmus Fjeldstad was on the bench despite him scoring goals against Nottinghamer in the two previous meetings. Instead, Moran went with in-form Snorri Pétursson leading the line. The plan didn't work and Pétursson couldn't get on the ball in the first half. It was Nottinghamer that took the lead, scoring after 20 minutes through Archibald Kennedy.
Moran swiftly made two changes after the break. Fjeldstad came on along with 16-year-old midfielder Kenneth Bang-Pedersen, a teenager that has been outstanding this season. The changes made an immediate impact with Fjeldstad running the defenders ragged. This created space for Amadeo Alberto, who sneaked in at the back post to head home the equaliser. Nottinghamer were still the better side and should have retaken the lead but Danila Grishin put his penalty wide.
Borgis managed to hang on and secure a crucial point. Elsewhere, Wigan Roamers thrashed Sheffield Hallam 1-4, which puts them out of the bottom three on goal difference. Both Borgis and Wigan are on 18 points, while Sheffield are now officially down with only 13. Borgis face Sheffield in the final round, but it's worth remembering Borgis were thrashed 5-0 by Sheffield on the opening day of the season. Wigan Roamers will play Running Wild, a team that is just one point from first place and will have their own obvious reasons for needing a win of their own.
So what we have is a division with it all still to play for. Four teams can still mathematically win the title. Realistically Nottinghamer have no chance because of goal difference so three teams will do battle in the final round for the title, while at the other end, two will fight it out for safety. Can Borgis create another Houdini moment and survive at the death? Or can Wigan once again put a nail in the coffin of Borgis on the final day?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|