Forget Leicester's will they? won't they?, forget MSN's wonderful march to glory, forget Jose's never ending soap and forget Villa's inevitable plunge. The real story is in the relegation dogfight at the base of Division 1 of the Arthurian League. Here we will follow the greatest story in European football, aside of course from any transfer gossip surrounding Sami Khedira, as it unfolds:
As it stands (1st March 2016):
| POS |
|
P |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
GD |
PTS |
| 6 |
Old Malvernians |
16 |
5 |
3 |
8 |
33 |
40 |
-7 |
18 |
| 7 |
Old Radleians |
13 |
6 |
2 |
5 |
29 |
31 |
-2 |
17 * |
| 8 |
Old Wyks |
16 |
4 |
1 |
11 |
40 |
53 |
-13 |
13 |
| 9 |
Old Haileybury |
12 |
3 |
1 |
8 |
15 |
43 |
-28 |
10 |
| 10 |
Old Aldenham |
12 |
2 |
3 |
7 |
18 |
30 |
-12 |
9 |
Thanks to Jamie Rann's foresight and management, the OWs have stayed on top of their fixture list completing 16 of the requisite 18 matches in the season. Thanks to injuries and some abject performances, the OWs have not stayed on top of point collection.
Nevertheless, we remain tantalisingly poised upon the precipice of the dreaded faintly dashed line and with any luck will remain so. First of all, we must win our remaining two fixtures:
vs Old Reptonians (away)
vs Old Reptonians (home)
Winnable games. Must-Win games.
But as any sod with a maths GCSE can see, fate is not in out hands. Here are the relevant fixtures to keep an eye on in the coming weeks (not in chronological order):
Old Haileyburians
| Vs |
Expected |
Result |
| Wellington |
Loss |
|
| Brentwood |
Loss |
|
| Aldenham |
Loss |
|
| Radley |
Loss |
|
| Harrow |
Loss |
|
| Repton |
Loss |
|
While you may think the expectations are pessimistic on their behalf, it is fair to say that we have seen better sides on a Saturday afternoon.
Conclusion: Haileybury could, and should, be one of the relegated sides.
Old Aldenhamians
| Vs |
Expected |
Result |
| Brentwood |
Loss |
|
| Brentwood |
Loss |
|
| Haileybury |
Win |
|
| Radley |
Draw |
|
| Bradfield |
Loss |
|
| Malvern |
Draw |
|
With a strong team out this past Saturday, the OWs gave this team a humbling with the 4-1 scoreline flattering them immensely. Nevertheless, they themselves were missing a few key players and have the potential to get some gritty results with their "oh-so-pleasant" personalities.
Conclusion: Expectations as above would give them 14 points at the end of the season, which should see them down with a bit of OW magic.
Old Malvernians
While they may appear safe from relegation with their cushy 17 points, they like us are nearing the end of their fixture list. What's more, their next fixture comes against top of the table Harrow who are known for their goal difference crushing performances (Pete: "no comment"). The other comes against Aldenham, so that result could work either way for the hopeful OWs.
| Vs |
Expected |
Result |
| Harrow |
Loss |
|
| Aldenham |
Draw |
|
Conclusion: Given their remaining fixtures, a strong final showing from the OWs could see the Malvernians in a tight spot come the end of the season.
While Old Radleains remain in the relegation picture, they have enough quality to pick up the points required, but you never know...