Now this was a rollercoaster. Possibly our best football of the day came after we started falling apart physically — Pete popping his calf, Takuma twisting his ankle, Pabs cramping up in both legs. Who needs subs when you’ve got spirit (and a few functioning limbs)?
Union always bring spice, and this one had edge. But we held our nerve and delivered when it counted. Pete added two more to his tally – one from Duncan, channeling his inner wing wizard, danced past his man and teed up Pete for a nice tap in, the other a precise finish at the near post — proving again he’s the most clinical in Masters football — and Brian, fresh off celebrating his 51st, smashed one in the winner: another perfect corner from Takuma (earlier ones had gone begging (sorry Pete, sorry Pabs)), but Brian, up from the back, rose like a man possessed to thump in the header and show us how it should be done. Teppei was his usual calm and dependable self between the sticks, producing a string of solid saves when called upon — none more important than in this game, where a frantic pinball sequence in the box ended with him pouncing on the ball and flashing that trademark smile that never seems to leave his face.