Old Challoners v Marlow United Reserves
B & B Cup

Team: Raithatha, Weisz, Redpath, Gardener, Walsh, Croucher, Allen, Lowes, Fuzz, Baker, Fallon, Sub: Lancaster (70)

Score: 5:3
Fallon (2), Fuzz, Allen, Baker

Attendance - 20, although 90% were watching the match on the adjoining pitch including the opposition's subs. Weisz & Redpath Snr providing the vocal but polite away team support.

After the Xmas break a return to action saw OC's take on Marlow United Reserves in the Bucks & Berks Cup. Having coasted through thus far this was undoubtedly going to be the hardest test so far in the competition magnified by the enforced 3 week break of eating drinking and being merry. OC's took to the field carrying an extra few pounds that aren't normally there (fortunately he was running the line) determined to progress to the last 128 of the competition.

A positive start saw OC's knock the ball around confidently and found themselves with plenty of time to pick a pass. The first chance fell to the head of Allen who ran on to a Baker flick-on but unfortunately headed well wide. Before Allen had time to reflect on his miss a punt upfield, a flick on and some statuesque defending saw Marlow steal in for the opening goal totally against the run of play, Allen now had time to reflect on his miss. Once the shock of what had just happened had past, OC's continued passing the ball around midfield and from a fine Lowes through ball, as the full back dallied and the keeper dillied, Fallon was clinical, the lob-specialist coolly making it 1-1.

Would OC's now go on and wrap this match up comfortably without further alarm? Within 5 minutes the answer was clear, despite the calls for 'deep breathing' from El Weiszo (a special requirement for B&B cup games, possibly due to the clean air of the leafy Chilterns….?) some more uncharacteristic defending saw Marlow sneak in for an undeserved second.

Without panicking though OC's continued to move the ball around, and when the linesman was too busy concentrating on the next door match to incorrectly raise his flag again, a ball from midfield finally managed to get Fuzz through on goal where he made no mistake 2-2. More deep breathing and determination not to concede a further sloppy goal before half time were again quickly undone as Marlow took the lead again when the centre forward was put clean through and managed to complete his hat-trick despite a decent initial save from Raithatha by poking in the rebound. Half time OC's 2-3 Marlow.

For the first time in this seasons competition El Weiszo had to conjour up something profound at half-time to get the team back on track and not go out to inferior opposition for the 2nd year running………with the threat of El Weiszo's crucifiction OC's took to the field determined to put it off until April when it would be a more fitting time for the chosen one to go.

At the end of the first half Marlow had resorted to what appeared to be a 4-5-1 formation but it was actually because the bloke upfront (who I hope was even bigger than OCs' guest linesman) was too knackered to join the attack and so walked around a lot in the centre circle. As a result the start of the second half was a bit scrappy but it was still all OC's and it looked more likely an equaliser would come than Marlow extending their lead. Sure enough an Allen tap-in (making up for his earlier howler) after the keeper had flapped at a looping cross when challenged, made it 3-3.

It was soon 4-3 to OC's when Fallon followed up his first half lob with an even better one to put us infront for the first time in the match. It was now totally one-way traffic as Redpath and Gardener had the opposition forwards comfortably in their pockets and Marlow began to lose their discipline all over the pitch. A final fright with Walsh having to leave the field of battle wounded with 20 minutes left on the clock was soon placated when it appeared that there was room in Lancaster's 'already too tight' pocket for the pint sized left winger. 'Whitebait' frustrated at his inability to skin the 'fatboy' decided he would offer his elbow into the face of Allen right under the nose of the ref and was lucky to stay on the pitch.

The final action of the match saw the specialist finally rid himself of the monkey on his back as he and Fuzz exchanged headers which allowed him to neatly find the corner with a crisp volley. In the last seconds there was a chance for Fuzz to add more respectability to the score-line as he ran clean through on goal only to be challenged at the last by 'Whitebait' showing an impressive turn of pace given that Fuzz had a 20 yard head start! Final score 5-3 to OC's.

Not a great performance but safe passage into the last 16 secured where a home fixture against Penn & Tylers Green Reserves awaits.

Fallon's MoM - Fallon
OC's MoM - Fallon for 2 important well taken goals