Play to the final whistle!

By Phil Kelly

A stunning comeback reminiscent of Man Utd in 1999 saw JPC 1s comeback from 1-0 down in the final four minutes to win 2-1 thanks to late goals from Dan Clarke and Steven Robertson. With limited availability across the club this weekend, the team had no subs and were dealt a blow when the exciting your prospect Andy Mathers pulled out with an injury. This paved the way for a rare call-up for Phil Kelly from the 2s, who not only unexpectedly played 70 minutes at right-wing, but also ended up writing the match report.

As for the serious stuff - a somewhat sluggish start saw JPC begin on the back foot. Some tidy play from Durham wasn't fully dealt with and their centre-forward placed the ball over Jonny Greenshields to give the home side an early lead. However, as the half progressed, JPC grew in confidence and some fine link-up play fashioned a number of close efforts. Dan Clarke's sweetly struck reverse beat everyone and everything but the outside of the post and the same player also had a goal disallowed from a short, while the explosive Steve Allen was unlucky to have a shot cleared off the line. As half-time neared, a foul from the keeper gave JPC a flick and a perfect chance for Michael Davison to find an equaliser - and in fairness you'd do well to see a better attempt... Not find the back of the net, as a fine save from the keeper kept Durham ahead. Despite the pressure, JPC still required some excellent defending and saves from Jonny to keep the score 1-0.

Second-half came and JPC could only keep on improving. By now the team had gelled so much - not just in the passing, as Rob Wise and Tim Davies began forming one of the finest bromances the club has seen (that doesn't involve Michael). The chances continued to came thick and fast as JPC dominated the second-half. This time it was Steven Robertson unfortunate enough to find the post. As JPC bombarded the opposing 'D', even the full-backs were bombing very high up. Thanks to a terrific run at one stage the highest player was George - affectionately known as 'Darling' by his team mates, no doubt much to the hilarity of the opposition who didn't know his surname.

With the closing stages looming it began to look like it wouldn't be JPC's day. However, like all good church hockey teams, we didn't lose faith. Some fine sideways passing found Dan Clarke and his excellent finish left the keeper with no chance. Not content to see out the draw, JPC were back on the attack straight away. Barely a minute had passed before Steven Robertson's pace allowed him to find space to send home the winner first time, prompting scenes of delirium.

JPC held on to take home a crucial and well-fought victory. Afterwards the teas were very good, as was some of the banter. Congratulations to Darling on his man of the match display.