A COME BACK! BEST IN HISTORY?

I am thanking the Daily Telegraph for these snippets of interest, following the latest weekend's footballing events. Having passed by the date of the Battle of Hastings, the England Soccer team played match number 1066. The England team has never played a home match on a Sunday evening, kick off 6pm or later. The next Sunday international fixture against Ireland, at Wembley, kicks off at 5pm.

"Non-league team score four in added time for ‘greatest comeback in football history’".                North-east England team, Yarm & Eaglescliffe grab four in five minutes to seal 6-5 win in Northern League Division.

 Step aside, Gas engineer, Tom Atkinson and Yarm & Eaglescliffe FC could well now be the "go-to" for football comebacks, after a remarkable non-league game in the north-east of England at the weekend. Sunderland West End were coasting at 5-2 up in the 92nd minute of their Northern League Division Two game and Yarm’s supporters could have been forgiven for having made their excuses and left. But an incredible four-goal burst then sealed the most unlikely of victories for the visitors.

Atkinson completed his hat-trick to reduce their arrears, before Steve Roberts struck twice in as many minutes to level the score five minutes into added time. But the drama on Teesside wasn’t finished there, with Atkinson popping up again in the 97th minute to complete the 6-5 triumph.

Yarm’s manager Stephen Jackson told local Nova Radio; “This is the craziest game of football I have ever been involved in and I can’t imagine it ever being topped. A poor showing over 90 minutes and fair play to Sunderland West End, they outplayed and out fought us. We snuck a goal back at 5-2 down in the 92nd minute and we were happy with the consolation for the goal difference. We then won a penalty in the 93rd minute and knowing this group you get the feeling we will have one more chance. We got that chance from kick-off and a great cross is converted by Steve Roberts, 94'. The lads got the ball and went back to the middle, having the belief and kept  going although it seemed an incredible achievement to sneak a point from 5-2 down. From kick-off in the 97th minute, we win the ball straight back, it’s played wide to Steve, who "rabonas" a pass into Tom Atkinson, who takes one touch and finishes it – unbelievable.”

Jackson added: “It seemed surreal. There can’t have been a greater comeback in the history of football – four goals in the last five minutes to win the game. We had every emotion throughout the 97 minutes and it shows the amazing character of the group – an amazing set of lads who I’m proud to work with.”