Team Kai rode out as the winners in a 7-4 game for the ages in the sixth iteration of the FJN Cup, sponsored by Health & Protection.
Hosted by Horsham FC in support of charity partner Wolfram UK, 36 players, representing 20 different companies from the insurance industry took to the field as Team Kai, captained by FJN consultant, Kai Ellis, took on cup holders Team Stu, led by fellow FJN consultant Stuart Perry.
The line-ups also consisted of new players making their FJN debuts, including Steve Barber, Richard Grover, Dan Wood and Ric Mustard stepping into the fray for the first time.
Four goals to the good
In glorious sunshine with temperatures soaring the teams played out a fast-paced and open game with chances created frequently through slick passing moves.
It was the challengers who made the early running as debutant Cosimo Edwards finished a fine move to put Team Kai into an early lead.
As the teams hit the mid point of the first half, Steve Thomson doubled that lead with a brave diving header following a pin point cross from Billy Warner to put Team Kai two up.
Things only deteriorated further for Team Stu from there as Ciaran Moores coolly slotted home to make it 3-0 before some bloke called Owain Thomas banged in another to make it 4-0 at the break.
The scoreline could have been even more ominous for the holders if not for some careless finishing and unfortunate bounces from Team Kai, including several efforts striking the woodwork.
Rallying back
Clearly a rousing half time team talk was needed. Perry delivered and his team came out for the second half all guns blazing.
It was the captain that led from the front as Perry finished off a marauding run from just inside the opposing half.
That showed the intent to take the momentum of the contest but Team Kai reasserted their four-goal lead through an unfortunate own goal.
However, Team Stu were not finished as they worked their way back into the game and created some clear opprotunities.
Debutant Thomas Johnston was the source of much optimism with his dangerous forrays forward down the right wing.
Three quick fire goals followed with Johnston setting up Juan Pena Nunez to finish cooly in the centre of the box, before Johnston then claimed the next two goals himself, taking the score to 5-4.
The team in white were left wondering if they would rue all those missed chances.
Finishing the job
However as the game entered its final stages Team Kai regained the initiative with a trade mark towering back post header from Nick Hale as he buried the ball into Ricky Kerbey’s net.
And Tom Chisman then added a seventh and final goal converting after Moores’ fine work down the left, with the game ending 7-4 to give Team Kai victory.
The player of the match awards went to debutants Ciaran Moores of Centricity and Thomas Johnston of Bupa for their attacking performances.
The game was officiated by Simon Faires, with Simon Roe taking the photos.
