Old Wykehamist Football Club

Masefield reports…

OWFC can do no wrong. This latest victory sees the Old Wykehamists reach the towering and unfamiliar heights of five successive victories. Perhaps most encouraging of all, however, alongside the plethora of goals, are the two successive clean sheets. At the risk tempting fate, with attack, midfield and defence firing on all cylinders it is difficult to find any good reason why this unstoppable force that is OWFC should be halted in their tracks. Repton beware!

The Old Woks had a mixed start against the King’s Scholars. With barely 30 seconds played an apparently bewildered Scholar inexplicably gifted Sutton with the ball on the edge of the area, which he floated over the woodwork.

Despite their tentativeness at the back, the King’s Scholars looked half threatening going forward and exerted some pressure on the edge of the Old Woks’ box. True to from, however, a defence of Spalton, Walters, Toone and Wakiwaka stood their ground and looked comfortable for the most part but were powerless to defend a strike from an unmarked Scholar from inside the area mid-way through the first half. Ed Duncan to the rescue; the shot was fired low to the right but Duncan, cat-like, was equal to the challenge diving to his left to turn the strike round the post for a corner.

This served as a timely wake-up call but the Woks struggled to retain possession and chances in the first half did not come fluidly. Patches of quality were marred by a scrappy and tentative first half. Sutton had the best of the chances but his finishing could not get the better of the keeper. Hogan and Merriott fought hard in the centre with Vernon and Skinner probing the lines but. Half time, 0-0.

The second half told a different story. After a constructive and thoughtful half time talk, the Old Woks rallied and found true form. Merriott, now supported by Rae Guys, delved into his bag of tricks and began to exert his presence in the centre. The front four were linking up nicely and there was air of fluency and menace to OWFC’s football.

Jimboleena Walters and Vernon threatened down the left flank and their pressure told. A delightfully weighted delivery from Walters was met by the head of Rae, sneaking the ball past the stranded keeper. 1 – 0.

The Scholars had little to nothing to say in reply to what was now becoming a master class. The back four looked impenetrable with Toone beginning to display some serious quality spreading the ball nicely and linking up with Stevens, who looked impressive down the right flank.

It was not long before we extended the lead courtesy of some sublime football: Waki found Rae in his own half who turned and offloaded to Masefield. Masefield on the half way line, laid the ball into the path of Merriott who picked Masefield’s run slotting him through with his first touch. Masefield, through on goal, hearing crazed calls from Sutton, selflessly placed the ball on a silver platter for Sutton to pass into an empty net. 2-0.

The Scholars again had no reply as OWFC began to stroke the ball around with a consummate ease creating more chances. A renewed enthusiasm was felt by all, especially by Rae Guys who, in a not so ‘hey guys’ moment, pleaded ‘Paddy pass me the ball! I promise I’ll give it back!’. Patrick did not pass the ball…

Another clean sheet, another great performance and yet another victory – you do the maths.