Newsletter w/c – 11.10.21

Fixtures for Saturday 16th October 2021

Selection

Match Reports

Old Meadonians 1s – No game

Old Meadonians 2s 3-1 Old Sedcopians 1s

MOTM Nick Wilson, WIG Kenna

After a promising victory over Dorks last week in monsoon weather, the 2s were making their season debut on the new Pavilion pitches in the October sunshine. A post-match pitchside social awaited, all we needed was the 3 points to ensure celebration over drowning our sorrows.

Spirits were high, with our players enjoying Reidy’s absence, the improved changing facilities and the beautifully smelling kit (which underlined newly appointed skipper K10’s leadership qualities). The first half hour was electric from Meads, with our silky football leading to a bombardment on the Sedcopians box. Like last week, our finishing was suspect. Jack Book, Finders, Phil and Nick W were all culpable, but K10 missed the best of the chances. After some great work from Phil, the inspirational captain surprisingly fluffed his lines from the penalty spot (leading to the WIG). 

We kept at it, with Finders causing carnage with his enterprising runs down the left, whilst Nick W looked extremely dangerous up top. He got his goal after an unbelievable ball from the right by BJ, with Nick duly converting from short range. Nick W then doubled his tally after great work from Ally down the right.

After that dynamite spell, we dropped off slightly – Jordan T giving us a heart in mouth moment as he got tangled with their striker – thankfully he stayed on his feet and the ref gave nothing. Just before half time they got one back, a cleared corner volleyed in from the edge of the box which gave Conail no chance.

Half time led to fresh legs coming on in the heat – Dan S, The Loon and JJ entered the fray. We immediately regained control, with all three slotting in seamlessly. Some great football followed, as did some great misses. Wilson was pushing hard for the hattrick, but was denied by their keeper time and time again. JJ and Phil also came close, but we finally added the extra goal we needed. Wils skinned their CB and should have scored, but his parried shot dropped to Ally who made no mistake. There was little more to report from the game beyond The Dog getting a yellow on his return to the team – some late-night JD content beckoned to cover the fine.

Meads win, Scotland win (good for half our squad) and Fury win… just what Saturday’s are all about! 

OMFC3 1-4 whoever it was that we played

In the scout hut changing rooms (not that we can comment on anybody else’s changing rooms..) ahead of Saturday’s match, spirits were high among the squad despite having to listen to PCs Rourke and Kody discuss whether or not you can search somebody in the street…. No comment. Once again the boys had all showed up on time and the kit was washed and dried. As we headed out on the long trek through the forest we were regaling each other with tales of last year’s triumph on the same pitch. You remember the one, Toby decided he knew how to score as we put a comfortable 4 away to kick off a 7 game winning streak. And lo and behold Toby was with us this week since the 1s didn’t have a game.. although we’re all unclear as to whether or not he actually plays for them, or if he is even in their whatsapp group.

The game started well, too well, as Meads got confused and thought for 15 minutes that we were Spain circa 2010. Knocking the ball calmly across the back, darting in from the middle to play triangles with the full backs and push up the wings. We were playing a brand of football that doesn’t belong in this league, so to correct for that we gave them a throw in near the box, let it ping around for a bit and watch it get muddled into the bottom corner.. but not to worry, we were in charge here. The quality had definitely dropped since conceding, but it was clear that we were the team trying to play football, getting it out wide and passing up the pitch but just lacking that final touch. Until eventually playing Toby through on a typical diagonal behind the full back, to blast it across the box (he was definitely shooting) for Xav to tap in. 1-1 and the game felt like it was coming back to us.

We kept the pressure on and it felt to all the world that we were going to go on and take the next goal, until it happened… A long hoof up the pitch from them (the order of the day) had our centre backs turned around and chasing back towards goal. Nod it back, nod it back.. we all thought. But no the nod back appeared too difficult from there. Shield it, Shield it for the keeper (plan B), but no, communication breakdown meant this didn’t seem to be an option. So the only option left… lob your own keeper. No need to name names on this one. We were 2-1 down and the mood was decidedly sour. But still we pressed on.

Into the second half and still we were dominating possession. Marlon making his usual mazy runs forward, one of which saw him chopped down by one of their centre backs for what should have been a stonewall penalty only for the referee to do what he had done all day.. absolutely f* all. That decision clearly got to us and we started to let them into the match. They scored a 3^rd from a decent cross and header which tbf was a good goal. And a fourth came as we chased the game and were kicked all over the park for doing so.

This was a tough one for us as we felt like we were playing a decent brand of football throughout, but we can take a lot of positives from it, tough to say in a 4-1 loss. It’s notable that despite the loss the boys were all sitting around in the scout hut after licking our wounds and drinking £2.50 (cash only) bottles of Budweiser. We win and lose as a team and long may that continue.

Old Meads 4s

The Falcons are playing the AFA Novets Cup, at home. The weather conditions are far better than the previous week.
Despite several injuries from the last game, the Falcons are showing a promising squad against Shene Old Grammarians 4s.
Shae Bell is coming to help us on the right hand side, from the 3s, and Chris Bonnar is coming to help us in the centre midfield, from the 1s. Thanks lads!

The Falcons are ready to give everything to win their first game, all competitions combined, this season, especially since the past couple of games ended up in late / stoppage time winners for the opposition team, both at 3-2 final score! Quite frustrating…
On the bright side, the Falcons are showing a full squad with 3 subs as opposed to only one sub last week.
Team captain Steve Villard is extremely glad to see that Anthony Sexton turned out (late, but still turned up) after dropping out at late notice from the past couple of weeks.

The first half starts in a cranky way for the Falcons, who are losing a lot of balls due to poor touches and overall communication.
Thankfully it gets better throughout the first half as the Falcons start getting control of the ball and the game.
Unfortunately, left back Arthur Simpson shows early signs of injuries and requires a sub. Team vice captain Nick De Falco replaces him from the right wing position, kudos Nick for helping out your mates!
Later on, a smart strategy between CAM Dwayne Quashie and CF Jose Da Cruz converts an indirect free kick just outside the opposition’s box into a goal. 1-0 for the Falcons before half time!

The second half is when the opposition starts showing some dedication and teamwork, as they manage to score 3 goals in 10 minutes, all from headers in our own box… 3-1 against the Falcons with 20 minutes left to play.
Jose Da Cruz gives hope and confidence to the Falcons as he scores a second goal within the last 10 minutes of the game. 3-2 against the Falcons.

Despite giving everything and pressuring the opposition as much as they can, the Falcons end up losing 3-2 (again??).
The Falcons are walking back to the changing rooms feeling extremely frustrated as this is the third game in a row that they lose 3-2 in the last few minutes of the game..! We are so close to winning lads, let’s keep it going!! Go Falcons!

Special thanks to Dam Stables and Jack Stansfield for playing a full game at CB position, as all three usual CBs Stephan Spiekman (a.k.a. William and Harry’s secret brother), James Wallace and Steve Villard are either unavailable or injured. Massive favor to the team there!
Also special thanks to James Wallace and Matthew Allen who brought their boots and shin pads (just in case Anthony Sexton did not turn up) and despite not playing, showed incredible support and guidance from the sidelines! Kudos to you both!

MoM: Chris Bonnar, for strong presence in the midfield area.
WIG: Ali Solomon, for missing five throws-in in a row.

Squad: Ali Basma, Arthur Simpson, Dom Stables, Jack Stansfield, Shae Bell, Yacub Sezgin, Chris Bonnar, Guillaume Lefort, Nick De Falco, Dwayne Quashie, Jose Da Cruz, Anthony Sexton, Lucas George, Ali Solomon

OMFC 5s 3-1 Winchmore Hill 5s

Captains log at the start of the week:

“First cup game in 2 years, brilliant”
“At home, dragging the oppo over from North London, f cking fantastic”
“Quiz night and Evan’s leaving do after. Even better.”

By Tuesday when 15 regulars had made themselves unavailable (Evan has since parted ways with his PR company) suffice it to say my mood was somewhat tempered.

After dragging in players from all over the club (thanks owed to a lot of people..) and beyond we had what looked like a decent squad.

Evan was revelling in role as captain for the day, taking all set pieces. From which we scored. There were mutterings of an own goal but best I leave it to the man himself to talk us through it:

“I tried to float it in the corner onto the keeper so Bridle could cause some problems (keeper looked soft). Got a little too close to him however, so much so that the ball was floating into the goal. Keeper tried to catch it on the goal line and dropped it in. Goal of the season if you ask me”

So there it is. Last game for the club (for now), first goal.

All events after that fade to grey, but we battled through the rest of the game to see it out 3-1.

Huge thanks to all the new players – Matt (really stepped up to 5th team level), Si, Dillon, Richie, Noel and Henri for helping us out on the day.

MOM was a tough one. Guivin scored 2, Henri and Albie were very very good for a new CB partnership but Si Greening made a number of crucial saves and led the team from the back.

WIG for myself for turning up late, barely managing 10 mins on the pitch and being incapable of putting a sentence together before and after the game.

Great result and onto the next round. COYM.

Team: Si, Evan, Albie, Henri, Max, Noel, Kortney, Mills, Matt, Bridle, Guivin, Tim, Richie, Dillon.

LMU1 vs OMFC6

Details of this away games venue weren’t fully disclosed until Wednesday afternoon, which caused problems as LM’s website, which looks like it hasn’t been updated since 2017, had us all thinking the fixture was in Barnes, when in fact it was in Tolworth.

Once details had been confirmed the entire team sheet almost went out the window however a rally cry made sure of a good turnout.

Out of respect for the former Old Meadonians players which have sort refuge away from the realms of dukes meadows, we won’t go into to much detail, we’ll just say that they had a first half to forget, which they never recovered from.

It’s always going to be an uphill task when you concede after 1 minute 17 seconds, add to that, own goals and lapses in concentration, you’re 4-0 at the halfway point.

A spirited fight back in the second half had LM playing some really tidy football however the resilience of our defence made sure that we held firm and kept our first clean sheet of the season.

We were able to expose their defensive frailties on the counterattack, but they didn’t give up, they kept pushing throughout the second half but it just wasn’t their day.

Final score 8-0

A special mention to the referee, dog whistles aren’t meant for football games!

MOM: Carlitos

DOD: Jacob

Old Meadonians 7s – No report received

Old Meadonians 8s – No game

Old Meadonians Vets – No game