It is Saturday, 12th January 2013. The score is locked at 0-0, with just 10 minutes to play. 3 points could prove crucial as we enter the business end of the season. Yet none of Tottenham, Everton or Newcastle would go on to find a winner. Where three of England's biggest clubs failed however, the OCFC 3rd XI succeeded emphatically - marching on in their quest to retain the Arthurian League Division 2 Title. Tottenham, Everton and Newcastle can boast just one major trophy between them since 1999. The OC 3s took two home last season. There lies the difference: the OC 3s win when it matters. With Captain Richard Rudden's winner 9 minutes from time securing all three points, the 3s waltzed off into the freezing January night to do the only thing they do better than winning football matches; they had dealt with Chigs, it was time to deal with Chicks.
Following a somewhat subdued performance on a tough away-day in the Ukraine (or somewhere) the previous week, in which the OC side did well to come away with a win, the senior management were blessed with a wealth of options, which included the well-groomed pairing of James's Moss and Kibbey, who has successfully managed to delay their departures to the African Cup of Nations by a couple of weeks. Buoyed by the faintest hope that there might be a touchline cameo from Basil Jackson, the 3s took to the field in good spirits. The positivity didn't last long however as a freezing temperatures, blowing winds and, eventually snow dampened OC spirits, if not their will. The pitch felt as though it was stationed alone in the Arctic, and the rhythm and flow of the game was severely disrupted by its stop-start nature; mainly attributable to the isolated nature of the pitch (and some wayward shooting from the OC skipper). The OCs showed flashes of their footballing pedigree, but failed to find a satisfactory level of consistency or commitment. That said, they were creating the better of the chances.
Mike Manches, the Arthurian League's answer to Luis Suarez, was denied a blatant penalty as his reputation for controversy apparently preceded him, while Dan Perera had the ball in the net, only to see it ruled out for offside. The OCs spurned number of half-chances, but continued to dictate the majority of the play. Despite having some possession in good areas and a number of corners, Chigwell forged little by the way of chances to show for their endeavours - when they did, Jon Jenkins was on hand, as ever, to ensure the back door was well and truly shut. As the game meandered into the second half, what was both notable and impressive was the calmness within the OC ranks. The clock ticked on, yet nobody panicked. There was a quiet, underlying confidence that the goal would come.
And it did. Of course it did. After a number of a range-finders, the captain's low curling effort from eighteen yards nestled in the bottom corner of the net, drawing one of the most impassioned celebrations of the season from the OC players and their loyal fans hidden their under umbrellas (one of whom was rumoured to be hapless former England boss, Steve McLaren). Every goal, every point, every win is of crucial importance now as the 3s march on towards their goal. And march on they do.
Match Ratings ***:
Jenkins - 7: Professional.
R. Carnegie-Brown - 5: Untidy but effective.
J. Carnegie-Brown - 5: Usually spectacular. Struggled in adverse conditions.
Wilkinson - 7: Slick and sophisticated.
Greensmith - 4: Not at his best.
Parton - 6: No frills. Solid.
Proctor - 6: Dealt difficult hand. Coped admirably.
Perera - 6: Works hard.
Rogers - 7: Silky.
Rudden - 6: Consistent. Struggled with finer details.
Manches - 7: Well drilled.
Kibbey - 9: Mercurial. Oozes class.
J. Moss - 8: Sharp, fresh, youthful.
Cobden-Ramsey - 8: Cultured. You get what you pay for.
*** N.B: Ratings based solely on match-day Haircuts.
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