Old Challoners v Old Dorkinians

Team: Sunil, Walsh, Rodgers, Cawley (Gardner 60), Weisz, Fallon, Lowes, Allen (Powell 50), Croucher, Fuzz, Baker

Score: 1:0, Croucher

Following on from a disappointing result in the Semi Final of the LOB Cup against Southgate County the OCFC first eleven were given a weeks break to reflect upon a recent string of 3-2 results, 2 of which went in OCs favour, 2 of which had not - it has seemed that the Ski Season had taken it's toll on a few results and with only one casualty to the French Alps this week (Redders) things were looking up….

A number of reasons for the letting in so many goals since Christmas were mooted, 'Walsh is rubbish', 'We've started playing 4-1-2-3' and 'RC is injured…again!'….But what was clear from the ranks was that going into this week's game against Old Dorkinians (3-2, of course, last time we met) was that we needed to focus at the back and keep a clean sheet.

2.45pm arrived on a damp Saturday afternoon and as OCs wandered out onto the Theatre of Trees it was essential we saw this game off in true fashion and bring back the killing fields of yester-year that Hervines has been witness to so many times before.

The game kicked off brightly, with the ball being moved around very effectively by the OCs contingent and it was clear from the first 5 minutes that Old Challoners were be playing against a young side determined to keep the goals out and play deep not to allow our pacey attack (Fuzz - not Jimbo) get in behind their defence. Lowesy and Matt Allen were pulling the strings in the centre of the park and with good link up play with the fullbacks Weisz and Walsh and wide players Croucher and Fallon the OCs starting created chances.

30 minutes in and the deadlock was broken, some fizzing work down the line forced a corner and with the big guns coming up from the back to join their statutory bundle which never results in a goal it was left to the shortest OCs player in the box and an excellently executed corner from Fallony - Croucher rose like the proverbial 'Old Man' that he is and nodded it home - 1- 0 and the scent of a fresh kill in the air!

5 minutes later OCs should have been 2 up - Weisz down the right slotted up to Croucher with a deft pass, a pin point cross from the Winger bounced through to Jim Baker who needed to simply pass the ball into the back of the net - obviously Jimbo had different ideas and decided he would see if he could break the world record for the hardest ever shot in AFC history……..luckily the Hervines Trees were their to protect the innocent Saturday afternoon shoppers of Amersham Town Centre!

The end of the half came and went with Challoners knowing during the interval that a second goal was imperative to finish the tie off and allow us to relax a little. Unfortunately the second goal was difficult to come by and after the first 15 minutes of the second half and the Old Dorkinians goalkeeper having the game of his life the OC lads sat back a little and played the game out - as we know from passed experience this season this is extremely detrimental to our tactics and it became a little 'hairy' in the last 15 mins with the shape of the Challoners team going array and a few panicky clearances being made to the last….With 10 minutes to play Walshy decided it was his turn to go up for a corner and get his massive 5ft 4 from in the mixer - the ball spilled to him and although their Centre Back whipped out his Scythe like legs and hack Walshy down completely missing the ball - PENALTY surely - however the referee had obviously run out of puff and couldn't muster the blow power to force enough air through his whistle and decided to let the game go on….BRILLIANT!

The end of the game came with a less impressive performance than the first half, however, a clean sheet was called for and a clean sheet was delivered - We won't lose any games if we don't let in any goals!

11 games now played, 9 won, 1 drawn and 1 lost. 9 Games to go and if we can secure victory in 7 of the 9 games we're guaranteed the league title - it's a big task but with a little concentration and luck we've got the ability to get this job done.

MOM: Walsh

Fallon MOM: Even Fallon mentioned he struggled to give himself it this week…..but after a bit of thought he decided….Fallon!