Kearsney College saved their best for last. After weathering an early storm from a physical Northwood side at the Stott on Saturday, the hosts roared into life after the interval to claim a deserved 2-0 victory in their final home fixture of the season.

The opening exchanges belonged entirely to the visitors. Northwood arrived at the Stott with a game plan as simple as it was effective: impose themselves physically, get the ball forward early, and test whether Kearsney possessed the stomach for a proper battle. For 45 minutes, that approach worked brilliantly.

Northwood won the physical duels, dominated the territorial battle, and created several promising opportunities that had Kearsney’s defensive line scrambling. T

Yet for all Northwood’s pressure, they couldn’t find the breakthrough. Kearsney’s defence held firm when it mattered, absorbing everything thrown at them and keeping the contest goalless heading into the break.

The tactical adjustment that changed everything

Whatever was said in the Kearsney changing room at half-time, it worked. The team that emerged for the second period bore little resemblance to the side that had spent the opening 45 minutes on the back foot.

Kearsney began competing far more aggressively for the ball in open play, matching Northwood’s physicality rather than being bullied by it.

Crucially, Kearsney began posing a far greater threat in transition. As the hosts grew into the contest, Northwood’s defensive line came under sustained pressure. The visitors, who had dominated territorially in the first half, now found themselves camped in their own half.

Mulder breaks the deadlock

Kayden Mulder provided the moment Kearsney’s second-half dominance deserved. The striker found space in the Northwood penalty area and made no mistake, firing home to give the hosts a deserved lead. The Stott erupted.

Kubheka seals the victory

Captain Simnene Kubheka ensured there would be no late drama. Shortly after Mulder’s opener, Kubheka added a second to put Kearsney 2-0 ahead and effectively kill off any hopes of a Northwood comeback.

The 2-0 advantage gave Kearsney breathing room to see out the contest with a degree of comfort. Northwood continued to battle, but the game was effectively done. Kearsney could manage the final minutes professionally, safe in the knowledge that their superior second-half display had earned them all three points.

The victory provided a fitting conclusion to the home campaign. Job done, season complete, memories made. That’s schoolboy football at its finest.