It was a game of two halves in the first ever MAN v FAT Super Cup at Darwen, as the English national winners Preston took on Swansea for the chance to claim bragging rights.
Both teams had to contend with high winds on the day, but overcame the elements to put on a compelling match of football to watch.
Preston and Swansea have been powerhouses in MAN v FAT tournament football in recent years, picking up a host of titles at both small sided and eleven-a-side events.
So this was going to be a clash of the titans and, straight from the off, it was clear that a competitive game was going to be on the cards.
It was the English champions who drew first blood, taking the lead after just five minutes through the dangerous Aaron Cooper, who has proven to be the man for the big occasion in the past.
And, midway through the first half, Cooper was at it again, doubling Preston’s lead and giving them a strong position in the game.
But the pendulum swung firmly the other way in the second half as, after a half time interval to lick their wounds, Swansea – currently the Welsh title holders – came out all guns blazing.
A goal from Michael Eames, the current MAN v FAT XIs Player of the Year, had the Welsh side back in the game and gave them the momentum needed to grab the game by the scruff of the neck.
The two teams traded chances but a quick fire double from Eames saw him complete his hattrick and put Swansea in front for the first time in the match.
Preston knew that they had to respond as the clock wound down, and committed more bodies forward in search of an equaliser.
However, with time almost up, Eames stepped up to slot home a free kick and give the Swans an unassailable lead at 4-2.
It meant that yet more silverware was on its way back across the border to Wales and there’s no doubt that these two teams will continue to be right in amongst it when it comes to future accolades with MAN v FAT.
Photos courtesy of Eamonn McNamara and Alex Lewis
