Old Challoners v Old Vaughnians
Saturday 28 January
Team: Pete, Nev, Les, Tony, Rick, Paul, Neil, James, Gareth, Paddy, Scott Subs; James, Kenny
Score: 4:1
Scorers: Paddy, Scott, Gareth, Kenny
After what seems like months of 'being dicked' by the opposition the 4s finally got back in the winning frame of mind in this relegation battle with our fellow strugglers Vaughnians.
The 4s took to the field with our RAF contingent buoyed by another successful Friday night out in Aylesbury cementing relations with our continental cousins and Pete's bouffant hairstyle looking resplendent in the winter sunshine. Les had a glint in his eye, or was it a tear, as his son was playing for Vaughnians and he was hopeful of putting in a few crunching tackles.
Early signs looked good as the oppo didn't have a ref and looked slightly disorganised, however, once a volunteer was found from another pitch the game kicked off with Old Cs played into the wind. With both sides displaying skill and flair equal to their dismal showings in the league a succession of long balls, carried by the wind, flew over the Old Cs defence and out of play and not until 15 minutes in did Challoners start to get the ball down and construct some passing moves down the left with Nev and James. Scott, Paddy, James and Gareth all had good efforts saved or fly high of the goal but Old Cs kept pressing and finally the first goal arrived after another move down the left saw the keeper beaten. Paul and Neil were gaining control of the middle and Pete's hair was relatively untroubled in the 4s goal as the defence dealt with the Vaughnians attacks.
Challoners went 2 up with a ball over the top for Scott to finish and then disaster struck. Following a change of ref a ball over the top found the Vaughnians attacker on his own and with Old Cs looking for the offside he rounded the keeper to make it 2-1.
The second half saw Old Cs continue to dominate with any opposition attacks easily contained through determined tackling (which saw one of their players carried from the field after a clash of bodies and explains the vague nature of this report). James and Kenny came on for Paul and Scott and it wasn't long before the lead was extended after another well worked move. Kenny added the fourth after a blistering run down the flank, cut inside and beat the keeper at the near post.
The final whistle saw the 4s win for the first time in 2006 and start their promotion push.
