The
stage was set, let's get the action underway.
It was a very even contest and there was very
little to choose between the two teams as you
would expect from two teams competing for glory.
James Larcombe gave ACE & The Swagmen the
lead in the first half with a vital goal. It
was a lead the English team would maintain until
half-time.
After
the change of ends, Santa Maria were back level
though and it was a first tournament goal from
Ruben Almeida and what a time to get it. With
the sands of time ticking away it looked like
we were heading for a draw and penalties. Step
forward Joe Humpreys who went on a mazy run
and applied a superb finish in the final minute
of the game. It looked like he had earned his
team a last gasp winner. However, Diogo Silva
scored straight from the restart and it was
2-2. After just a few moments more the referee
blew for full-time. It was an incredible flurry
of action at the end of the final.
A
penalty shoot-out was required to decide this
one. Ruben Almeida would strike first for Santa
Maria but his goal was quickly cancelled out
by Dan Burkwood who thumped it home top left.
Diogo Silva put Santa Maria ahead 2-1 with Will
Hall coming close and inches away from the save.
Matt Proctor was second in line for ACE &
The Swagmen and he coolly applied the finish
for 2-2.
Paulo
Alfonso made it 3-2 as Will Hall got close again
– it's so tough for goalkeepers from such close
range. Next up was James Larcombe who take us
into sudden death but Nuno Positeiro guessed
the correct way and with a step to the right
made the save to win the Plate competition for
Santa Maria.
First
of all we offer our consolations to ACE &
The Swagmen on a fine campaign – they could
not have got much closer to the Plate winners'
trophy. It was a great performance and a pleasure
to host the team. They go into the tournament
3 games unbeaten in normal time.
Huge
congratulations go to our 2022 Lisbon Tournament
Plate champions though – Santa Maria. A first
eurofootballfives.com trophy and maybe a stepping
stone to a Cup win next time!
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