It was a Sunday, but not just any Sunday.

Saltmill was crisp save for the odd bluster as the weather acted all cute despite the fact it tried to kill us all several days earlier. With Hope Baptist Church in town, the Carabao Cup Final to come and Peaky Blinders returning to our screens, it was – forgive the pun, a blinding Sunday. We had only met Hope once before, with a somewhat different squad that resulted in a heavy defeat, and Saltash Baptist Church (SBC) were in the mood for revenge, which I’m told is best served cold. And no-one was colder than Adam Yeap, curling a wonderful chip over the keeper’s head and into the far corner in the first minute, despite claims from the opposition that it was a cross that drew a rueful smile from Adam as he jogged back to the halfway line.  

Things were looking up.

Fifteen minutes into the first half and SBC claimed their second goal courtesy of Adam Y after great link up play with Adam F (bear with all the Adams) and Kit up front.

After Hope pulled back two goals, one of which had a helping hand (quite literally) and shouldn’t have counted, the Adams family were at it again, causing mayhem in the area resulting in a penalty which Adam F dispatched nonchalantly.

This was now a fierce battle with Crump Sr and Will (who was wearing shiny new white boots that didn’t belong to him and told us to keep that to ourselves) martialling the defence well against Hope’s lone striker who kept them busy all afternoon. Hope’s right winger found himself in a tough battle up against SBC’s Ollie who’s running and quick thinking got the better of him in every duel.

Tim on the right-hand side of defence was ever the leader, both coaxing the best out of the team and galvanising the backline in equal measure.

SBC’s captain Scott and his tousled hair kept us in the game during the first half pulling off some athletic saves, with SBC defending the resulting corners well.

Another goal apiece; SBC’s courtesy of the hard-working Adam Y saw us go in at half time at 3-3.

The second half kicked off with Hope on the front foot, as a change in formation invited early pressure that SBC bravely weathered, Tim making some great saves and displaying an air of calm beyond his years.

Jay was working hard as the midfield anchor to stop the attacks, with Noah playing further forward showing flashes of quick feet which bamboozled the opposition and got some of them frustrated to the point of drawing needless fouls (cynics would say that Noah was trying to impress his girlfriend on the side-lines).

Veteran stalwart Paul. and new addition Symon were willing runners and used their experience and nous to give instructions. Joe on the right wing was providing a fantastic outlet and his pace was causing the opposition problems all afternoon after being a late addition to the squad.

What happened next was a flurry of activity as goals went in left, right and (mostly) centre. Two superb finishes from Adam Y came either side of two lucky goals for Hope. With both sides having hit the woodwork, four more goals flew in, two courtesy of Kit – one of which was a strike that was so sumptuous that it was applauded by both sides as both teams cancelled each other out in every area of the pitch.  

Both sides battled fiercely, looking for a winner that never came as the game finished 7-7, a deserved point for both of these sides in a close fought contest.

SBC can be proud of the performance and build on this in the next game which will be played on Sunday 13 March at Saltmill.