Football: 1st XI v Old Stoics

21 March 2015

When the Old Stoics came to play the current 1st XI and defend their unbeaten record in what has become an annual fixture on Saturday 21 March, no one could have predicted just how spectacularly it was to come to an end. In fairness, a comprehensive 1st XI win has been on the cards for a while now; the Old Stoics were unfortunate to be the opponents on the day Stowe firmly found their touch in front of goal.

The sides were evenly matched for the first 20 minutes, with the Old Stoics perhaps slightly on top. However, a scrappy opening goal from Jamie Maclure (Lower Sixth, Chandos) proved to be the turning point, and from that moment Stowe were truly outstanding, playing attractive, flowing football, creating numerous chances and scoring some wonderful goals. Freddie Pope (Lower Sixth, Chatham) doubled the Stowe lead with a delightful left foot curling shot from just outside the area, and within minutes, Maclure had added a third to make it 3-0 at half-time. In the second half, Ugonna Anyamele (Lower Sixth, Temple) came off the bench and was unstoppable - helping himself to a hat trick and proving a real nuisance to the Old Stoics every time he picked up the ball. David Amram (Upper Sixth, Bruce) was rewarded for his efforts, constantly hurrying and harrying his opposing full back, with a goal as Stowe created chance after chance. Maclure could easily have had more than the four goals he scored, but his hat trick goal was simply superb; a delightful van Persie-esque looping header coming after a delightful move involving Alvaro de la Vega (Lower Sixth, Temple), Pope, Anyamele and Oscar Pegg (Lower Sixth, Bruce) down the Stowe left-wing.

It was a fantastic performance from the boys and one which was richly deserved. The Old Stoics were unlucky to have a couple of players out injured and the gauntlet has been laid down with the challenge issued for a rematch on Speech Day…

Chris McGhee, Football Coach