Stepney FC 1–0 Marlborough United: Dekkers-Hummel knows how to suffer
It is a particular kind of talent to make a 1-0 win feel like a daring heist. Stepney FC spent the match looking like a group of lads trying to hold a door shut against a gale, but that is exactly where Jordy Dekkers-Hummel thrives. He does not do the flamboyant stuff. He does not believe in the fancy. Instead, he organised a back line that worked with the grim determination of a man cleaning a flooded cellar.
The victory over Marlborough United was not pretty. It was an exercise in endurance. While some might have panicked as the pressure mounted, Dekkers-Hummel looked entirely at peace with the chaos. He has instilled a proper, honest grit in this side. They defended their lead with a sort of stubbornness that bordered on the obsessive. One Stepney defender spent a good portion of the second half practically glued to the Marlborough striker's ankles. It was an unattractive sight. It was perfect.
The manager has a knack for getting the lads to dig in when the legs are gone. He knows that a narrow win is just as good as a rout when you are fighting for your lives. He will likely be feeling quite pleased with himself. He has a side that knows how to scrap. That is all a manager can ask for.