By Alan Fenton
I played my first league game for the OC III's on Saturday 17th September 2011. Led my the mildly homoerotic duo of Dolman and Kibbey, we took on an Andy Evans-less Haberdashers on their patch. In a dire 1-1 draw, there was little sign of things to come, the 'nearly-men' of '10 and '11 struggled to assert any real pressure and in the end were rather fortunate to snatch a draw. With an almighty hangover, and magazines for shinpads, I sat on the bench with JCB for 70 of the 90 minutes struggling to control the camera.
Fast forward to this Saturday and the OC III's have come a long way. (2 Wellington dead rubbers aside) this team has not lost since that day in Arthurian League Competition, 5 trophies have been won and nearly 200 goals scored. That team have overtaken the 2's, vanquished the 'nearly-men' tag and become the toast of the club. The footballing style initiated by Kibbs and Del has become doctrine under RUDDEN's leadership. This team plays with an attacking verve seldom seen in amateur football, 7 different assist makers, 8 goals scored, none conceded, relentless pressing high up the pitch; this Saturday was a joy to behold, a long way from 2 years ago on the Chiswick flood plain.
Some things never change though, and as JCB and I again watched from the bench (albeit with shinnies and without hangover), Ben Moss was, by some considerable distance, the outstanding player on the pitch, just as he was in 2011.
It is probably weird to think of an 8-0 drubbing and immediately associate Ben Moss with it. He isn't known for his goalscoring, or even his final pass, but on Saturday he was magnificent. He led the side on Saturday with all but armband, his insatiable appetite for the ball from his centre backs started off nigh on every move, his passing was crisp and accurate and, as ever his heading and off the ball covering play was supreme. Has he been in secret training all summer?
Needless to say he is my man of the match, and I challenge any nay-sayers. Other notable performances came from Greensmith x2 in dominating the left flank and Hitchcock on his competitive debut, offering a direct threat down the right hand side.
Aldenham are not a bad side, they won the league below at a canter last year and will be a competitive side in this division, but they were no match for this team, on this day. Whilst it took 25 minutes to open the scoring, it was a fully deserved 5-0 at the interval. Ordered on by RUDDEN, rather than cruise to a comfortable vistory, it was relentless. 6-0, 7-0, 8-0, and it could have been so many more. Manches will be disappointed to 'only' notch a hat-trick, Nash may have been persuaded not to drink himself to the verge of suicide if he had added to his pair with any of the gilt edged chances he squandered and yours truly has been bullied by Cameron and Beddows for far too long to be confident and clinical with any sniff of goal.
Lads, best of luck for the season, I have no doubt you will smash this league, a bit of luck and Justin Lee Collins will be lost and found again, and you are going to be a match for anyone in the regional cups. I can't wait until the stars align and I can step up again. God Speed.
*I look forward to his Match Report so, so much
I played my first league game for the OC III's on Saturday 17th September 2011. Led my the mildly homoerotic duo of Dolman and Kibbey, we took on an Andy Evans-less Haberdashers on their patch. In a dire 1-1 draw, there was little sign of things to come, the 'nearly-men' of '10 and '11 struggled to assert any real pressure and in the end were rather fortunate to snatch a draw. With an almighty hangover, and magazines for shinpads, I sat on the bench with JCB for 70 of the 90 minutes struggling to control the camera.
Fast forward to this Saturday and the OC III's have come a long way. (2 Wellington dead rubbers aside) this team has not lost since that day in Arthurian League Competition, 5 trophies have been won and nearly 200 goals scored. That team have overtaken the 2's, vanquished the 'nearly-men' tag and become the toast of the club. The footballing style initiated by Kibbs and Del has become doctrine under RUDDEN's leadership. This team plays with an attacking verve seldom seen in amateur football, 7 different assist makers, 8 goals scored, none conceded, relentless pressing high up the pitch; this Saturday was a joy to behold, a long way from 2 years ago on the Chiswick flood plain.
Some things never change though, and as JCB and I again watched from the bench (albeit with shinnies and without hangover), Ben Moss was, by some considerable distance, the outstanding player on the pitch, just as he was in 2011.
It is probably weird to think of an 8-0 drubbing and immediately associate Ben Moss with it. He isn't known for his goalscoring, or even his final pass, but on Saturday he was magnificent. He led the side on Saturday with all but armband, his insatiable appetite for the ball from his centre backs started off nigh on every move, his passing was crisp and accurate and, as ever his heading and off the ball covering play was supreme. Has he been in secret training all summer?
Needless to say he is my man of the match, and I challenge any nay-sayers. Other notable performances came from Greensmith x2 in dominating the left flank and Hitchcock on his competitive debut, offering a direct threat down the right hand side.
Aldenham are not a bad side, they won the league below at a canter last year and will be a competitive side in this division, but they were no match for this team, on this day. Whilst it took 25 minutes to open the scoring, it was a fully deserved 5-0 at the interval. Ordered on by RUDDEN, rather than cruise to a comfortable vistory, it was relentless. 6-0, 7-0, 8-0, and it could have been so many more. Manches will be disappointed to 'only' notch a hat-trick, Nash may have been persuaded not to drink himself to the verge of suicide if he had added to his pair with any of the gilt edged chances he squandered and yours truly has been bullied by Cameron and Beddows for far too long to be confident and clinical with any sniff of goal.
Lads, best of luck for the season, I have no doubt you will smash this league, a bit of luck and Justin Lee Collins will be lost and found again, and you are going to be a match for anyone in the regional cups. I can't wait until the stars align and I can step up again. God Speed.
*I look forward to his Match Report so, so much
No comments:
Post a Comment