“Winning means… you’re willing to go longer, work harder [and] give more than anyone else” (Vincent Lombardi).
Broom and Lees played host to the much awaited OC 2nd XI vs. OC 3rd XI, Division 2 top of the table clash on Saturday and it served up a Winter Warmer. December is a month famous for Christmas, a time of giving, neither side here seemed to be in charitable mood however as the crisp, damp Saturday morning transcended into a good old fashioned scrap.
The threes started the day with the boost that Ed 'Goldsmith' Greensmith had decided to turn up for the game. Drink and drug fuelled Friday nights have got the better of him in recent weeks - stories leaked just a fortnight ago that he woke up on Saturday morning, as his teammates began their match against Cholms, in a ditch not far from the former site of Dale Farm. His attempts to rebuild bridges are clear though as Saturday saw him slap a new kit bag down on the changing room floor. Controversy ensued. Dolman, Kibbey and Jackson (J) all opted to boycott the night out citing the removal of the old Umbro bag as the reason behind their decision, further news on this issue is expected in the coming days.
Once suited for war the league leaders undertook their now world famous 'French' / Rondo warm up combination whilst the skipper won the first battle of the day, correctly calling 'Heads' at the toss. The Threes (donning the famous OC colours) chose ends and the Twos (kitted in the slightly less famous inside-out OC colours) were given the ball before Guy Walker blew for the game to begin.
The most notable talking point of the first ten minutes or so, which mainly belonged to the Threes, was Guy Walker's dressing down of Schofield Senior for using a dog whistle - a stewards enquiry is still underway following complaints from Dolly that he had been left "confused to the point of tears".
For half an hour or so the Threes continued to dictate events. The back four, marshalled by the newly emerging senior figures of Jenkins, JCB and Procter, knocked the ball around amongst themselves, an illustration of the class found in every corner of the side. Dolly and Mosser set the bar in terms of commitment in the middle, winning tackles and headers as if they were fighting for the hand of Jesse Higginson, as the top four kept plugging away at a stubborn Twos defence.
Slowly though, Jingo's men came back into the game and the 15 minutes either side of half time belonged to them. Hooper struck the bar with a close range header and Jenkins was forced into a smart save at the feet of Holder before the first half whistle had gone - but for a half chance header from Manches, the Champions could afford little in the closing exchanges of the first 45 minutes.
The second half started as the first finished and with around 65 minutes on the clock Holder hit a viciously struck half volley following a corner which dipped over Jon's head into the net. At this point it would have been easy to throw in the towel, hide and hope for the best. The threes, though, came to life and it is this which they should happiest with. From that moment until the final whistle they were undoubtedly the better side. Wave after wave of attack, only broken by moments of highly efficient defending from the likes of JCB, Procter and the two centre midfielders saw the Twos begin to shake.
Rob C-B began whipping delicious balls into the area from the right, Goldsmith was everywhere, driving powerfully forward and winning everything in the air while Nash, Manches and Buzz came closer and closer. It was with 15 minutes to go and an unusual face on the score sheet which saw the league leaders draw level though. A beautifully timed run and an immaculate flick saw Procter latch onto a Nash corner and wheel away to the corner in celebration.
The last 10 minutes saw RCB strike the bar, Nash have a shot well blocked in the six yard box and with two minutes on the clock Manches had a header stunningly saved by what RiRu's sister described as 'the angriest man alive'. She has since declared some of the twos players to be 'self-righteous and over dramatic' furthermore citing concerns that Mike was "being bullied". The second goal couldn't be found, however, and the game finished one-a-piece.
There is a long long way to go in the league, but the Champions showed they very much intend to hold onto their status as the divisions best. They should be proud of the effort and commitment they showed as well as the supreme levels of maturity on offer once they went one down. Surely another title would show to the world that the seconds have been firmly knocked off their perch?
The night out served up many a story which will no doubt come to the surface in the coming weeks...
MOM could go to one of four or five people but it was Goldsmith who edged it. He won everything and put in some superb challenges as well as looking a real threat going forward. You should all be proud of your contribution though. The most pleasing aspect to this point is how well all the new faces have settled in and the outstanding position we have put ourselves in for the business end of the season. The next two months are key and if we can keep plugging away we should still be fighting on three fronts.
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