1) The Future’s Bright, the Future’s Blue with White Pinstripes.
The first two matches of the 2012-2013 season saw some of the worst availability numbers for the OWFC 2nd XI since the pre-Hardiman era (a distant epoch, before iPhones, coalition politics or Gangnam Style, when Manchester City were still likeable). Saturday’s clash with Harrow may have only mustered 11 ½ angry men, but, with several limping old stagers waiting in the wings and plenty of eager youngsters answering the clarion call of the OWFC, the player shortage may just be over. Quality comes with quantity too: debutant Angus Graham had a stormer on the left-wing, cutting inside, jinking wide and even rattling the crossbar with a 25-yard belter. Rookie Charlie Morgan looked assured in central midfield, looking classy and composed even when engaging in some retaliatory argy-bargy. Things are looking up.
2) The Footballing Fates are Fickle
There were five periods of about seven minutes each during which OWFC2 played superlative passing football, looking comfortable and confident. Each period was curtailed by a Harrow goal, just as we started to believe our own hype. As Ron Davies (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1424188/Moments-of-madness-that-ruined-Ron-Davies.html) will tell you, you’re most at risk when you’re cruising.
3) Progress is Overrated
Oblivious to any talk of austerity, the powers that be at Harrow have cut the ribbon on a brand new changing-room, an architectural hymn of glass, wood and chrome with in-built hair-dryers, bidets and free WifFi. However, the provision of a miserable kitchenette has tempted them into scrapping their traditional match tea at The Castle (London Pride, hot chips and, IIRC, chicken goujons) in favour of insipid cheese and tomato sarnies and own-brand squash. Harrow, home to such noted trenchermen as Winston Churchill and John McCririck, should be ashamed.
4) The 1s aren’t allowed two good performances on the bounce
What attribute best defines a good football team, parent or custard? Consistency my friends, consistency. And if there is one thing that the 1st XI have demonstrably lacked this year, it has been this most admirable of virtues. Impressive victories over Radley and Haileybury have been followed by avoidable defeats at the hands of Aldenham and now Kings. Hell, in our opening 4-4 farce with Bradfield we managed to wildly change from half to half. The good news? If the pattern continues, Berkhamsted should look out this Saturday...
5) The 2012 referee harvest has failed
Come back Posh Ref, all is forgiven. Earlier in the season, there was a little grumbling regarding his slight indecisiveness and his pleasingly old school “can’t we all just ruddy well act decently” demeanour. But it has become increasingly apparent that he is by far the best of the lot. Two games of Anal Ref were an irritating ordeal, with the endless pedantry and sartorial inspections, only to then referee the game from the centre circle due to his portly frame. But lo, the highlight of the season so far: Dumb Mute Ref, who not only didn’t realise there was a second half, but seemed to be of the belief that a referee’s job spec begins and ends with blowing the whistle every time the ball leaves the pitch. Something must be done.