Football was invented for nights like this.
At a rain-soaked Huntington Arena, and playing in their unfamiliar third-kit of Scotland shirts, York Hearts FC tonight pulled off their greatest result in more than a year.
Few fancied the Jambos against promotion-chasing Italic. Even within the Hearts ranks, the mood was hopeful rather than expectant.
But Hearts prevailed, with a late penalty clinching the points for the Scots.
The conditions were wretched, but Hearts threw caution to the wind, starting with an audacious 1-2-2 formation.
It paid off.
The floodlights flickered, the ball skidded, the Italians bickered, and the rain lashed and lashed, but York Hearts fought like warriors and won the day.
Sam Outing got the goals. The first came after five minutes, a blistering toe-poke, vaguely reminscent of Dave Narey's against Brazil in the 1982 World Cup (above). It lacked Narey's height but had the pace, and flew past the wrong-footed Italian keeper.
Hearts smelt blood and went for the kill. Neil and Tom's pace repeatedly forced the Italians onto the backfoot, and Aitchison thrice had decent efforts go wide.
At the back, lone defender Calum defied his lowly stature and commanded the air. Damo was rarely even tested. Italy was stunned.
The continentals rallied after the break, and briefly showed their true class, equalising with a goal of true beauty. The Hearts midfield and defence were sliced open, and Domenico slotted home.
But this was Hearts' night. Back they came, and with just 90 seconds left they got their reward. An Italian defender strayed into the box while making a clearance and Sam stepped up to rifle home the spot-kick.
The Italians, true to stereotype, protested animatedly. The Jambos simply beamed.
York Hearts: Champions of the World.
Man of the match: Calum Beattie.
At a rain-soaked Huntington Arena, and playing in their unfamiliar third-kit of Scotland shirts, York Hearts FC tonight pulled off their greatest result in more than a year.
Few fancied the Jambos against promotion-chasing Italic. Even within the Hearts ranks, the mood was hopeful rather than expectant.
But Hearts prevailed, with a late penalty clinching the points for the Scots.
The conditions were wretched, but Hearts threw caution to the wind, starting with an audacious 1-2-2 formation.
It paid off.
The floodlights flickered, the ball skidded, the Italians bickered, and the rain lashed and lashed, but York Hearts fought like warriors and won the day.
Sam Outing got the goals. The first came after five minutes, a blistering toe-poke, vaguely reminscent of Dave Narey's against Brazil in the 1982 World Cup (above). It lacked Narey's height but had the pace, and flew past the wrong-footed Italian keeper.
Hearts smelt blood and went for the kill. Neil and Tom's pace repeatedly forced the Italians onto the backfoot, and Aitchison thrice had decent efforts go wide.
At the back, lone defender Calum defied his lowly stature and commanded the air. Damo was rarely even tested. Italy was stunned.
The continentals rallied after the break, and briefly showed their true class, equalising with a goal of true beauty. The Hearts midfield and defence were sliced open, and Domenico slotted home.
But this was Hearts' night. Back they came, and with just 90 seconds left they got their reward. An Italian defender strayed into the box while making a clearance and Sam stepped up to rifle home the spot-kick.
The Italians, true to stereotype, protested animatedly. The Jambos simply beamed.
York Hearts: Champions of the World.
Man of the match: Calum Beattie.