Congratulations to HMS COLLINGWOOD who beat HMS Heron 4 – 1 to win the USFL League Championship

Congratulations to HMS COLLINGWOOD who beat HMS Heron 4 – 1 last night to win the USFL League Championship.

Although Collingwood controlled the 1st half with Heron struggling to get out of their own half, it was a tight game until the last 10 mins.
when Jake Batotovszky scored mid-way through the 1st half, it looked like Collingwood would rule the day. Unfortunately as soon as Collingwood got near the Heron’s penalty area they either tried the shot from long range or passed when the shot would have been better.
So despite their 1st half domination Collingwood only went in at half time 1 ahead
Half time 1 – 0

As the 2nd half began Collingwood were rueing their missed chances from the 1st half and it was all Heron; it was only a matter of time before they equalised.
Then from a Messi like free kick just outside the box, Heron equalised. 1 – 1 game on.
But this seemed to wake Collingwood from their Slumber and they quickly retook the lead form sound play down the right James Jackson scored, 2 – 1 to Collingwood.

The game became very open as each team tried to get the upper hand and it could have gone either way; but when Heron hit the post and Collingwood Scored from the resulting break with Liam Mitchell making it 3 – 1, Collingwood took control of the game, some sound passing and ball retention stopping Collingwood from creating any significant chances. Then with 5 minutes to play Collingwood sealed a well-deserved victory, when James Jackson got his second to make it 4 – 1 and any chance of a Heron comeback was over.

Final Score HMS HERON 1 - 4 HMS COLLINGWOOD.

Honourable mention to Collingwood’s James Jackson for 2 goal & 2 assists, normally a man of the match performance.
But the USFL Chair’s Man of the match went to Collingwood’s Jamie Russell, the rock at the back to recognise his and the whole team’s effort

Also an honourable mention to Heron’s No 5 Luke Bushell, who worked hard in the 1st half to stifle Collingwood’s goal attempts particularly after he pick up a painful injury which in the 1st half didn’t seem to slow him down. He played on through the pain but slowed in the 2nd half, obviously a key man as he remained on the pitch for the full 90 minutes.

Many thanks to our match officials , Aidan Madden, Michelle Garrett, Michael Hurdle & Jack Bartram, who allowed the game to flow and allowed the players to shine.

Also thanks to the few supporters that missed the Liverpool Champions League semi-final to cheer on the teams