HMS Heron Win Nine-Goal Thriller Despite Sending Off

HMS Heron came from behind twice to win a 5-4 thriller against West Midlands Police in Birmingham.

The Navy side were reduced to ten men when Nick Hill was sent off in the second-half for violent conduct.

Despite that, Heron came from 4-2 down to win the match through Jack Biscoe's winner.

This was the forces team's third match since being allowed to play football again following the easing of coronavirus measures, but they had lost their previous two games.

And it looked like another defeat was on the cards for the team as they went 2-0 down inside 15 minutes.

An own goal from team captain Mason Pointon as well as poor defending from a long throw compounded a bad start for Rikky Toyer's men.

However, a thunderbolt from Owen Aquilina brought Heron back into the game.

His powerful strike from distance was quickly followed up by a Rhys Williams tap-in to level the scores at 2-2.

It was a stirring comeback but Heron's weakness at set pieces cost them towards the end of a lively first half.

Two goals from corners meant West Midlands Police led 4-2 at the break - despite being without their star striker Tony Bellingham, the father of England and Borussia Dortmund teenage star, Jude.

It got worse for Heron soon after the restart when they were reduced to ten men.

Hill threw in a late challenge that would have warranted a booking but he sealed his fate when he shoved one of the opposition's defenders in the face.

That left the referee no choice but to give Hill a red card, although Heron did question why the Police defender wasn't also given his marching orders for his part in the melee.

Two goals down and a man's disadvantage, it looked like a tough task for the Navy players to get back into the game - but they were up to the challenge.

Calum Stark finished off a good low cross to make it 4-3 just 50 seconds after the sending-off.

It was now the Police side who were losing their composure and they conceded a penalty after Williams was tripped in the box.

It gave Pointon the chance to score at the right end this time, which he did to make it 4-4 from the spot.

After that, there was only one team that looked like winning as Heron continued to attack.

Biscoe, a second-half substitute, led a counterattack for his team and swept the ball past the home team's goalkeeper for a dramatic winner.

Heron held on for the victory and are back to winning ways ahead of potentially playing in the Emergency Services Football League later this year.