The sight of an away cup fixture tends to ward off the more “occasional” player, this weekend however it seemed to frighten the 2s to the core. With only 3 regular 2s players available (see list of excuses below) help was needed from around the club. Thankfully the 3s and 4s were around to help out and provide the majority of this week’s team *again thank you*.

It is fair to say arrival to the ground could have been simpler, crystal balls left at home, finding the pitch in what seemed to be a village rather than a school was the 2s first challenge. With some players stuck on the M25 following a car fire others still in Portsmouth awaiting lifts from willing girlfriends. It was left to the advance party to find the pitch. Help was on hand when a school Janitor/Porter/Gardner arrived/was accosted in his golf buggy. Directions were sought although the OTFC “rabble” were deemed unfit for a buggy lift.

Changing rooms eventually found, pitch located… all that was required was a full squad… and with less than a minute to go the final remnants of a bare 11 arrived.

There were welcome returns for Danny after a 2 year absence and Jake after a similar lay off period. OTFC “2s” lined up in the end with three twos, four threes, two fours and 2 occasionals – go figure. A bare 11 in a cup game is never a good idea especially with the prospect of possible extra time and penalties to come… especially when the oppositions use of players on the adjacent pitch encompassed a new problem for the referee… subs galore!

We were eventually undone by three footballing issues… a first half mad 10 minutes where we let 3 goals past us in horribly quick succession, eventual fitness and the final rather unexpected issue that we never looked to recover from once the oppo’s 4th sub arrived. He bossed the attack and walked away with a hattrick.

Our makeshift side played incredibly well together for long periods, we don’t play together much (or at all) but by the end we’d found our flow, having passed poorly at times, we were now utilising small passes for territorial gains, working for each other and the ball, we won the footballing prize for attractive football in that the oppo’s route one approach was not pretty albeit effective versus our tiring legs. OTFC were tackling well and working as a team. Playing off each other and working the opposition flanks. Hard work and a great effort from all (literally) OTFC, didn’t in the end buy us the result that we wanted.

The referee is worth a note – a seemingly very short first half probably wasn’t a bad thing for OTFC, two terribly offside goals were apologised for, skipper Dicky was informed that playing to the whistle was no longer required (?!) and the absence of a team sheet for the Old Aldenhamians side proved more than just a little hurdle for OTFC.

Well played to everyone especially our goal scorers Tom (2) John (1) their assistors, Ciaran, John and Dan, but mostly to our karate kicking, endlessly sitting down, must-have-a-warm-up-next-time Andre who’s tireless efforts to disrupt the oppo midfield was both impressive and effective, a well-earned MOTM performance. Lets hope he isn’t put off playing 2s again sometime when he finds out his colossal fines haul.

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Abroad

Arsenal

Dinner reservation

Homesick

Injured

Injured

Injured

Injured

Injured

Injured

Injured

Injured

Kids

No reason given

No reason given

No reason given

University

Vegas