Results:
Old Etonians 1-2 OWFC 1s
Stoics 4-3 OWFC 2s
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Eton 1-2 OWFC 1s
The plucky commoners of OWFC 1s took a journey to the other side of the train tracks on Saturday, to visit the aristocrats of the Old Etonians and the O-Dubs thoroughly deserved a 2-1 away victory to take them up to the heady heights of the top half of the Premier Division table.
The OE plutocrats had won 3-1 against the O-Dubs last season in the cup to perpetuate their false sense of superiority over the Wykehamist hoi polloi, and were no doubt expecting to continue gallivanting merrily onward when they went 1-0 up early on.
However, the devastating trio of Sam Donald, Mike Hodnett and James Essex are starting to rev up their nightmare machine that leaves Premier Division defenders waking up with cold sweats. James Essex ended the career of their centre back a number of times one-on-one, one of those timesa long solo run bringing an equaliser midway through the first half.
After an even first half, the Dubs knew the game was there for the taking. Fred Thomas added a physical presence in the middle, and chances started to come when Hodnett got on the ball. Thomas surged through the middle, with opponents surrounding him and space to shoot, before he mischievously slipped Hodnett in, who took one touch in the air and drove the ball past the keeper with the clock ticking.
Having received one yellow card for dissent (merely shouting “How many?” when the OEs gave away another free-kick), Thomas then picked up a 2nd yellow for a hefty challenge, which he claimed he got the ball, and labelled it the “harshest” sending off he’s ever got. He left the pitch despite failed attempts to circumvent the dismissal by subbing himself off in between the 2nd yellow and the red, and the Dubs had 10 minutes or so to see out the game.
Eton’s danger consisted of set pieces and crosses, the majority of which Sever, Mercer and Rollo Quinault in goal dealt with majestically. If anyone looked like scoring late on it was the Dubs, whose counter was predictably hazardous with Black and Goulding failing to put the game to bed.
No matter, as full-time brought a sumptuous away win to show the Dubs are very much at home in the Prem.
1s team: R Quinault, Bouch, Mercer, Sever, Court, Mitchell, Thomas, Black, Goulding, Prichard, Donald, Hodnett, Essex
Goals: Essex, Hodnett
MoM: Essex
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Stoics 4-3 OWFC 2s
With an incredibly strong side the 2s hit the ground running. By far the most silky football I [Sam] have seen this season with the attacking force of Skinner, Masefield, Kiko, Vernon and Wilson combining the opposition looked terrified. 2 nil after 10 minutes, 2 neat goals for Wilson. Kiko then got in on the action with a superb individual run and finish. Think Giggs 1999 semi final FA Cup. 3 nil after 15 minutes.
Sadly after this something went VERY wrong. 3 - 3 at half time with some sloppy mistakes, over confidence and brain fades across the pitch. Second half we started to play some better football with more composure only for the Stoics to nick a goal with 10 minutes to go and hold on for the win.
Summary: The team showed some great quality but a lack of fight - something every member of our losing side vowed to put right. We are getting there and with a little more bite, results are around the corner!
Team: Orban, Cheetham, Dawkins, Mercer, Rowley, Skinner, Opfermann, Masefield, Wilson, Vernon, Cubitt, Gheerbrant, Underwood