The 2017/18 season started with a brand new kit and a renewed sponsorship deal with our friends at Joy Indian Cuisine. Our recruitment drive also brought 5 key new players to our squad; 2 of which were OTFC stalwarts from other areas of the club – good business ensuring our smaller squad was bolstered by some club regulars. We also brought in 6 newbies to the club. with 3 being retained by the 2s… OTFC 2s are good at holding onto their players. We have the smallest squad in the club, but we have a regular core. Unlike last season, our core has been far more regular and have made themselves available for many more matches.

Our stats make for mixed reading this season… Played 20, Won 5, Lost 9, Drawn 6. It is this last stat that we need to work on. Of these 6 draws, only 1 was built from behind. the others were winning advantages lost. It might be our fitness, or perhaps not having more subs that we would have liked, but closing out a game is a work from point for us in the future.

We have scored 53 goals this season. In our squad goals are not our problem. We have goals from most areas of the field and we would of course like to score more, but an average of 2.7 goals a game is no bad stat. However, the goals conceded stat is not good reading – some significant losses saw us let in 69 goals – 3.5 per game – not good enough… our defensive frailties against a set piece have been our downfall.

Other than a couple of defensive takeaways and the ever present task of ensuring our team remains bolstered each and every season, the 2s remain a compact squad that looks like a unit, we are back to the ways of our core members playing many games – 12 players playing more than half the games this season, this despite a number of injuries (knees, fingers, jaws, hamstrings, backs etc…).

Our social side remains strong, every game has a beer or two after, every game has the required banter and our fines committee is ever present. This season we have committed an extraordinary £500 to our socials some 2000 fines.

Next season we look forward to our strong squad building further again. The club continues to grow and is bolstered by another team. There are many reasons to enjoy football at OTFC… the 2s will be striving for a promotional run.

As with any great season – below are this year’s registered player ratings:

	Name - Dicky Games - 20 Goals - 2 Assists - 1 MOTM - 1 Fines - To be revealed Rating - 8	Where would the IIs be without born leader and admin specialist Rafa Bostelitez? As well as keeping opposition (and his own) teams guessing with a multitude of elaborate formations and tactical plans, he capped off a strong year with a trademark bullet header from 1 yard. Sterling Season
	Name - Will Games - 18 Goals - 2 Assists - 3 MOTM - 0 Fines - To be revealed Rating - 8	Vice Captain Forsyth has had to adapt his game this season. The 2s have moved from a traditional 4 in midfield and have played with an often flat 3. Will no longer takes the role higher up the pitch and has developed his game into a more defensive role. Will's quick feet and ability to pick a pass remain his assets. Most importantly Will has kept himself injury free this term - that has been our collective asset.
	Name - Luke Games - 23 Goals - 3 Assists - 2 MOTM - 1 Fines - To be revealed Rating - 8	Luke Peake took "player of the season" last year and immediately informed OTFC management he would be leaving to pursue a semi-pro club. Who said the award would go to his head. Having missed pre-season, Luke tucked his tail between his legs and asked to come back - and aren't we glad he did... Luke is a workhorse and develops his game each season. This was another great season in which Luke played every game.
	Name - Colin Games - 17 Goals - 4 Assists - 9 MOTM - 0 Fines - To be revealed Rating - 8	Colin relinquished his familiar wide role towards the end of this season and started to play a more central role. The assistor has continued where he left off, Colin continues to set up more goals than any other player in our squad, this season he has also added 9 goals. Colin's attacking vision and ability to beat a player threatens every oppo defence.
	Name - Ollie Games - 17 Goals - 0 Assists - 1 MOTM - 3 Fines - 73 Rating - 8	Ollie was a transfer target for the 2s towards the end of last season. Having stated his intention of moving into a more central role, we immediately played him wide... However over time, Ollie got his wish. Now a regular CB, Ollie has coined this position this season, he is strong and able to play out of the back, leading to 3 MOTM performances.
	Name - Joe Games - 16 Goals - 3 Assists - 4 MOTM - 4 Fines - To be revealed Rating - 8	Joe has had to contend with playing in most positions this season, - striker, winger, midfield, fullback, wing back... Joe has had a wonderful season where his on the ball ability and willingness to take on a player has aided us all year, Goals, assists and MOTM nominations almost every game.
	Name - Tommo Games - 16 Goals - 7 Assists - 3 MOTM - 0 Fines - 103 Rating - 8	The ever young Tommo returns for yet another season and returns once again with goals aplenty - 7 this campaign - the striker no defender wants, strong and bold, holds the ball well. Has been known to vent his thoughts to the team... but that's ok, we can all do with a little constructive pointers 🙂 Tommo may/might/does "create" simply the greatest match reports OTFC have seen/watched...
	Name - James Games - 15 Goals - 0 Assists - 1 MOTM - 1 Fines - To be revealed Rating - 8	James has led our back line this season, confident on the ball, able to play out of the back, composed and ever ready. This has been one of James' most impressive seasons. Long may it last. OTFC 2s is not the same on gameday without James' sharp wit and general banter - best not mention the red card at this point
	Name - Bonar Games - 14 Goals - 8 Assists - 2 MOTM - 1 Fines - 80 Rating - 8	Bonar... what a recruit... Bonar is new this season and has placed himself squarely in the 2s fold. Bonar is an enigma, works hard, assists, scores never looks particularly composed and yet rarely loses the ball... Bonar works from start to finish, he is a runner. Bonar has had an amazing first season at OTFC.
	Name - Dave Games - 14 Goals - 11 Assists - 5 MOTM - 1 Fines - To be revealed Rating - 8	Dave takes the golden boot once again. Dave has been excellent this season, 14 games with 11 goals an amazing return, Dave is quick and ruthless, rarely misses an opportunity in front of goal but also forever willing to run the defence down. an asset to our squad.
	Name - Tom Games - 13 Goals - 0 Assists - 3 MOTM - 1 Fines - To be revealed Rating - 8	Tom has had a season of flux this year, he has played striker, wing, wingback, fullback and Tom has played in goal. Tom's energy is infectious and as ever nears the top of the fines table. Tom has also taken on his new role as club secretary with aplomb... administrator extraordinaire with as much passion for a spreadsheet as a foul throw. Don't also be fooled by Tom's low games tally... Tom has also played 5 games for other squads in the OTFC setup this season
	Name - Ben Games - 11 Goals - 0 Assists - 2 MOTM - 0 Fines - 52 Rating - 8	Ben hasn't been as available as the previous season, however he followed his fresher of the year season with another incredible year, FB playing on the left despite being right footed, Ben likes to cut into play, when he is on the pitch we defend well, but we start to develop our attacks from the back. Ben brings quality, pace and composure to our football.
	Name - Alex Games - 8 Goals - 0 Assists - 0 MOTM - 1 Fines - 31 Rating - 8	A new keeper I hear you say... the rare breed of a young enthusiastic keeper. Other than a couple of games to forget, Alex has been solid, his composure has become something we rely on, good with his feet, able to play out from the back safe hands. A great debut season from Alex... long may his OTFC career continue.
	Name - Cottee Games - 8 Goals - 0 Assists - 0 MOTM - 0 Fines - 48 Rating - 8	In his 25th year at OTFC Cottee returns for another solid season between the sticks. Cottee is a natural shot-stopper his familiar calls of TALK and HASSLE ring out from the back
	Name - Greg Games - 7 Goals - 0 Assists - 0 MOTM - 0 Fines - 52 Rating - 8	Our chairman is back. A season lost to injury last year, this year the 2s poached him from the 1s and have used his cool head as a defensive midfielder. Greg plays a great pass, has a keen football brain and isn't afraid to make a big tackle!
	Name - Dale Games - 6 Goals - 3 Assists - 1 MOTM - 2 Fines - 22 Rating - 8	Dale's career at OTFC has kicked off with a bang. Dales hasn't played as many games as perhaps hoped, but there is room to build for next year. Dale's short season has impressive stats... played 6, scored 3, MOTM 2. Very composed, aware of his space and not afraid to take on an opposition player... a forward thinking midfielder
	Name - Charlie Games - 5 Goals - 0 Assists - 1 MOTM - 0 Fines - 40 Rating - 8	Charlie... where have you been? We have missed you this season, your goals, headers and playing the "Heskey" role all things we needed this year. Please come back nest season ready to play more games.
	Name - John Games - 4 Goals - 0 Assists - 1 MOTM - 0 Fines - 28 Rating - 8	John has just had too many weddings, stag weekends and weekends away for our liking... thankfully all of John's friends are now married and as such we look forward to John's goals and runs behind the defence next season.
	Name - Alex Games - 2 Goals - 0 Assists - 1 MOTM - 1 Fines - 7 Rating - 8	Alex tends to play every other season. This season his hamstring decided that he was going to be resting until 2018/19. The good news is, we can't wait to have you back next year Alex