Carter de Ste Croix: Last-Gasp Heroics Secure London Cup in Dramatic Fashion
Frederik Hvillum
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In football, certain moments become etched in memory forever. For Carter de Ste Croix of Holland Sports, that moment came in the dying seconds of the London Cup final against Just Play FC—a dramatic equalizer followed by the winning penalty that crowned his team champions.
The scene was tense at Charlton's training ground. With Just Play FC leading 2-1 and only moments remaining, their supporters had already invaded the pitch in premature celebration. For de Ste Croix, it seemed the dream was slipping away after blasting a late chance over the crossbar.
"I buried my head in the ground as in my head it was over," de Ste Croix recalls. "Not to my knowledge, I had my teammate helping me up as the referee had given a corner."
What happened next would become the stuff of legend for Holland Sports. As the corner swung in, the opposition managed the first contact, but the ball looped high into the air. Time seemed to stand still for de Ste Croix.
"As the ball went up in the air, it felt like I was waiting for hours for it to come back, as time had just frozen," he describes. "My eyes were locked on the ball, and I kept telling myself, 'wait for it, wait for it.'"
When de Ste Croix finally made contact, he knew immediately he'd struck it well. The ball nestled into the net, sparking scenes of jubilation as teammates and coaches stormed the pitch. With the score now level at 2-2, the match would head to penalties.
Penalty Perfection
The shootout brought its own drama. Holland Sports converted their first four penalties while goalkeeper George Spilsbury—who had already saved a penalty during normal time—denied one of Just Play's efforts. This set the stage for de Ste Croix to take the decisive fifth kick.
"I am usually a basic penalty taker, but I saw the keeper was diving very early," he explains. "So I thought if I have a little stutter, it would open one side of the goal."
His instinct proved correct. The subtle hesitation in his run-up caused the goalkeeper to commit early, allowing de Ste Croix to calmly place the ball in the opposite corner. The London Cup belonged to Holland Sports, with their makeshift striker the unlikely hero.
A Decade in the Making
The victory represents more than just a trophy for Holland Sports. The team, based on the edge of Surrey, has been together since most players were eight years old, growing from a group of school friends into a formidable unit.
"The team has just gone from strength to strength over the years," notes de Ste Croix, "winning the Epsom and Ewell league twice and the cup twice as well."
This season, they took on a new challenge by entering the Mid Surrey League and the London Cup. Currently unbeaten in their league and now London Cup champions, de Ste Croix attributes their success not just to ability but to their togetherness—both among players and with coaches who have been part of their journey for over a decade.
Captured Forever
What makes this moment even more special for de Ste Croix is that it was captured on video using Veo technology. This allowed his grandparents in Malaga, Spain, to experience the dramatic finale despite being unable to attend in person.
"Having this moment captured on Veo was incredible," de Ste Croix says. "It made it possible for my grandparents to relive the moment from their living room in Malaga."
For de Ste Croix, normally a left-back who stepped up as striker due to an injury to the team's top scorer, this unforgettable cup final performance will be preserved forever—the perfect end to a decade-long journey with his childhood teammates.
From the despair of a missed opportunity to the ecstasy of a last-second equalizer and winning penalty, Carter de Ste Croix's London Cup heroics showcase why football remains the beautiful game—where dreams can come true in the blink of an eye, or in this case, with the final kick of the match.
