Old Wykehamist Football Club

OWFC 1s 4-1 Chigwell

After a chastening 5-0 defeat on the first day of the season where everything that could go wrong did go wrong against Chigwell, the O-Dubs were looking to rediscover the groove that delivered two convincing slaings over Chigs in last season’s Division 1.

The rain pounded mercilessly down which makes the Fortress Whitton surface nicer to play on, and the Dubs welcomed back Sam Donald playing in an ankle brace and Matt Black into the fold. The 3-5-2 was temporarily shelved and the trusty 4-2-3-1 was re-embraced.

Chigs were camped in the Dubs third for the opening 20, but the Dubs as usual looked dangerous on the break, with Matt Black and Mike Hodnett scuttling in between the lines. After a close first half in which the Dubs were frustrated they did not make use of the ball better, we went in front just before half time, as Goulding threaded Essex into the left channel, and he slotted it under the keeper, not dissimilar to the winner vs Salopians last week.

Shortly after half time, a ludicrously vicious Hodnett free-kick stayed about eight foot in the air across the whole of the box before Sever met it at the back post to make it 2-0. Chigs got one back soon after with a soft goal out of nothing, and it felt silly for the game in which the Dubs had been masterfully turning the screw until then. Chigs were not galvanized by their goal, and the Dubs’ screw-turning continued. Matt Black got two goals both from rebounds, testament to his positioning and instinct that won him a near-unanimous man-of-the-match vote.

Sever, Bouch and Prich also picked up honourable mentions in a satisfying game in which the Dubs showed their true quality. We are up to 3rd in the 10-team Prem after being 8th only 10 days ago, showing how close the league is. Only six points above the drop however, a crunch match vs Eton on Saturday awaits.

Team: Gray, Bouch, Mercer, Sever, Tiplady, Mitchell, Morse, Prichard, Goulding, Donald, Hodnett, Black, Essex

Goals: Essex, Sever, Black (2)
MoM: Black

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Old Citizens 4-2 OWFC 2s

Sam Cheetham pens the match report…

On a grim wet day we travelled bloody miles for our first game of 2018. Though we went 1-0 down after ten minutes after a well worked goal by the oppo, we fought back hard and did not concede another for the half playing up the hill against the wind. This was mainly due to some inspiring holding midfield work by Antoine Kerck (great addition for our 2018 campaign and MoM for the day) and some very astute defending and decision making from Tom Guest. A solid half with 1 goal in it making us feel like we certainly had a shot at a recovery and victory.

Sadly even with the arrival of prodigal son, OWFC stalwart and goal scoring legend Taro Kiley, we missed a few chances and then they went 2 nil up. Finally we did get a goal with neat ball through from Cheetham and a calm 'shot/cross' by Charlie Rowley into the bottom corner (he claims it was a shot).

The increasingly assured hands and quality of Rollo Quinalt kept us in the fight with some brilliant saves for a period of time before a mercurial run by their right mid nutmegging Guy Mercer and then putting in a cross that was finished with a Gianfranco Zola esque back heel flick in essence buried us (I should note this was certainly the best worked goal I have seen in Old boys football - sadly conceded, rather than scored, by us).

The 2s did show great character though and after going 4- 1 down managed to create a goal with the presence of Dawkins going up top and finishing very well from a Rowley assist. It should be mentioned that Dawkins work in the air was incredible not least of all to see that a man of his size defying the laws of gravity getting off the ground and winning almost every header he competed for.

Final score 4-2, a valiant effort in a goive cup should give us confidence going into the league games in the future. This team is beginning to believe, put your name down as we mount a great escape and make 2018 our year!