Blue Method Trophy Played at St George's Park

As England’s second best team flew out to Eastern Europe England’s first team moved into St George’s Park. Brimington United fought their way through the adorning crowds to enter the fray against a galvanised Next XI. Brim were not without their own reinforcements with manager Stephen Wapplington coming out of retirement to lead the side and airman Defazio providing the midfield muscle.

The game started with a midfield tussle, neither side able to penetrate the final third. As the half steadily progressed the Next XI started to carve out half chances, with Smith making a brilliant save to deny the challengers from going one to the good. As the half petered out some fantastic defensive work by the back quartet kept the Next XI frustrated. The embodiment of a box to box midfielder Wapplington covered every blade of artificial grass in his pursuit of possession.

The second half again proved to be a tight contest with the Next XI getting the better of the opportunities. Smith again proving impossible to beat, saving a plethora of poorly executed finishes. Fareden, who had utilised his pace perfectly survived a legitimate penalty shout midway through the half. The lottery of penalties loomed as the game entered the death, however Brim stunned Next with an absolute hammer blow with seconds to spare. Howard put Newell into a foot race down the left flank, Newell reached the ball in front of the defender and whipped a left footed cross to the far angle of the six yard box. Parkinson was there to hammer home a clinical volley in true Parkinson style resulting in wild celebrations amongst the brim faithful.
The final seconds played out and Brimington held on to the smash and grab victory, retaining the trophy won the previous year. Man of the Match as voted for by the fans was Farenden for his resolute defending.