Week 8 Review - 5th November 2016
Old Reptonian 1s 2 - 2 Old Wyks 1s
Goals: Essex, Emo; MoM: Emo
After a cup defeat to Eton, the 1s returned to action against fellow Div-1 high fliers, Repton, with a 100% record to defend.
Early signs were not good as Repton, playing with a stiff wind and a perceptible slope, bombarded full-backs Bouch and Tiplady with long balls. It was a tactic that eventually paid dividends, ORs picking up the second ball after Bouch won a header and whipping a cross to the back post where James Gray was powerless to stop a well-directed header.
One was soon two and the OWs were rocking under the sustained onslaught. However, there are few teams who can keep the Wyks' dynamic duo of Donald and Essex quiet and the pair were soon up to their usual tricks, Sam sliding Essex in down the left where he slammed a finish across the 'keeper into the far top corner. Game on.
The introduction of the tireless Emo and the half-time end-change helped the Wyks establish more control in the game in the second half and he and Mercer both went close from corners. Indeed, it was the Italian rapscallion who levelled things up around the hour mark rounding the 'keeper with uncustomary composure (the prosecution here cites F.C. Zlichin 1-1 Old Wykehamists, May 2016).
This should have been the moment for the OWs to push home their advantage but Repton kept their heads and played some good football. Indeed it was only the eagle eyes of linesman Pete Fuller (finally finding his best position) that kept things level.
A draw ultimately was a disappointment, but, still unbeaten, the Wyks march on.
-- Mercer --
Old Suttonian 1s 4 - 4 Old Wyks 2s
Goals: Blackett, Lloyd, Saunders (2); MoM: Nicholson
Better from the seconds. 3-0 down, then 4-3 up, then denied a win with injury time approaching.
After a run of games where we've been outclassed or undone, Saturday's comeback against Old Suttonians SV, a first team with a few standout attacking stars, should re-energise a team teetering towards the wrong end of Division 4.
The game started with a collection of calamities - a ripped keeper's jersey, a porous defence exposed for two one-on-ones, a set piece we couldn't clear, Cam Nicholson booked for an unsuccessful homage to Suarez against Ghana.
But whereas against Sevenoaks we'd gone three down and then folded, here we got back into it. Gordon Baker steadied us between the sticks, man of the match Nicholson drove forward from left back and our attacking threats of Charlie Rowley and Tom Vernon came more into the game. First came a Freddie Blackett drive after a scrambled corner, then composed finishes from Paddy Lloyd and Hugo Saunders, and then, the best of the bunch, Saunders with a near post screamer from 25 yards when everyone else was expecting a free kick lumped into the box.
Ultimately, only a cruel, debatable, deflected free kick prevented us from claiming three points we didn't really deserve.
-- Underwood --