In one of the most thrilling matches of the Division 3 South season so far, AFC Witan fought back from a 2-0 deficit to secure a dramatic 2-2 draw with Old Grantonians.
The opening period saw a hard-fought contest with both sides showing intensity and desire. Witan's midfield trio of Ennis Alhashimi, Alec Mackenzie, and Freddie Scutt showed great industry in the middle of the park, keeping the game balanced.
However, it was Old Grantonians who found the breakthrough, leaving Witan with a mountain to climb in the second half. Witan had their chances, with James "Jelliott" Elliott missing an open goal from a yard out, a moment that would have swung the momentum in their favour.
Undeterred, Witan came roaring back in the second half. Nicholai Corbie slotted seamlessly into the centre-back role alongside captain Phill Hirons. The duo dominated the opposing attackers, stifling any further threat from Old Grantonians.
Despite their defensive solidity, Witan struggled to find the back of the net. Carlos Doebeli hit the post with a fantastic shot, and Rangel Boy, Witan's Brazilian wizard, missed the subsequent rebound. However, Rangel Boy's dazzling skills, including an exquisite nutmeg, kept the Grantonians defence on their toes.
Meanwhile, debutant Connor Smyth demonstrated his potential, adding further solidity to Witan's backline. Harry Elliott made the trip from Birmingham to get on the pitch and ruffle some feathers, with his runs down the right wing causing some real issues.
With Witan trailing 2-0 and the clock ticking down, it looked as though Old Grantonians would secure the victory. But a moment of brilliance from Mike Wells, who deftly served the ball with the outside of his boot to Carlos Doebeli, brought Witan back into the game in the 86th minute.
The equaliser, however, was nothing short of poetic. Jez Deasey, having been unfairly shoved to the ground, dusted himself off and sprinted down the wing to receive a quick free-kick from captain Phill Hirons. Jez's filthy cross caused chaos in the box, resulting in a very satisfying own goal by the Grantonians' biggest complainer in the 95th minute.
This match will be remembered for the late drama and the resilience shown by AFC Witan. Carlos Doebeli's tireless and effective performance on the wing rightly earned him the man of the match award, and the team can take a lot of positives from this game as they look ahead to their next fixture. The last-minute equaliser, the missed opportunities and the defensive masterclass from Corbie and Hirons will have Witan fans talking for a long time to come.
Ennis Alhashimi, Player-Manager
An obviously ecstatic Alhashimi had this to say after the match:
"I couldn't be prouder of the lads today. We showed real character to come back from 2-0 down. That's the spirit of AFC Witan. We never give up. Carlos was sensational on the wing, and Phill led by example as always. The introduction of Nicholai proved decisive - his dominance in the air was second to none. I've got to mention Connor as well; he slotted into the defence like he's been playing with us for years. That's the kind of performance we need every week."
He also commented on the unfortunate missed opportunities:
"Look, it happens. Football can be a cruel game sometimes. Jelliott and Rangel Boy will bounce back. They're quality players. That open goal miss and the rebound - we'll learn from these moments and be better for it."
Carlos Doebeli, Man of the Match
The hero of the day, Carlos Doebeli, was understandably in high spirits:
"It's always a great feeling to score, but that goal today was something special. Mike's assist was top-notch; he made it easy for me. But the equaliser... that was pure madness. Seeing Jez bombing down the wing and then that cross end up in the net - I'll never forget it."
When asked about his performance:
"I'm happy to contribute to the team with a goal and hard work on the wing. It's all about the team though. We pulled together and showed what we're made of today. This is just the start for us."
Written by Ennis
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