It was the lads from the North who have been celebrating on Friday as they completed as slender victors on this 12 months’s Superb Losers recreation.
Almost 40 males from up and down the MAN v FAT neighborhood got here collectively on the dwelling of Leyton Orient for the 2025 fixture, with Steve Coppell and Brian McDermott within the dugouts to information the lads via their afternoon.
Everybody taking part had misplaced at the least 30% of their body weight, with seven of the blokes concerned having surpassed 40% misplaced throughout their time with MAN v FAT.
Having been launched to one another in crew WhatsApp teams main as much as the large match, there was already a robust crew spirit for the 2 sides forward of kick-off and that bond confirmed on the pitch too, with a fluid and aggressive 90 minutes with each groups taking part in some spectacular soccer.
The primary three objectives within the recreation all got here from distance, as the standard of finishes matched the play that preceded it.
Isle of Wight’s Ray Richardson had already cannoned a shot again off the submit early within the recreation earlier than the impasse was damaged on the half hour mark by Bournemouth’s Matt Waterman, who let fly from outdoors of the field to make it 1-0.
The South’s lead was to final simply 4 minutes as one other lengthy vary effort squared issues up.
Warrington’s Harrison Devine, who was to be named XIs Participant of the 12 months on the MAN v FAT Awards the subsequent day, took purpose and noticed his shot squirm dwelling previous the keeper.
The North virtually took the lead earlier than half time as Dylan Painter, who additionally picked up silverware on Saturday as 2025’s Superb Loser was denied by a incredible save.
And the South acquired their noses in entrance simply after half time as Richardson made up for his earlier disappointment by slotting dwelling to make it 2-1 on 48 minutes.
The 2 groups traded possibilities and durations of dominance, but it surely appeared just like the victory may go to McDermott’s southern gamers.
The North have been to not be denied, although, and shocked their opponents with a quickfire double simply after the 80 minute mark.
First Bury’s Terry Smith whipped in a ball from the correct that caught out the keeper to stage issues up, earlier than Josh Heys from Bolton grabbed a winner with six minutes to go.
Coppell’s males then held agency for the rest of the sport to make sure that bragging rights went to the northern boys!
Due to all that participated within the recreation, the family and friends that attended and to Leyton Orient for internet hosting us.
