OS Football Match Report

16 November 2015

Old Aldenhamians 1 Old Stoics 1

The Old Stoics bounced back from defeats in their two previous games to gain a hard-earned point away to Aldenham in dreadful conditions. 

Old Wykehamists' withdrawal forced Stowe in a late fixture change and instead of a home game at Chiswick, the team were on the road for the third time in their opening four games, this time to the leafy environs near Watford. Ben Hirst and Tom Wilson came in for the first appearances this season while the Benyon brothers returned, a rare weekend off from killing pheasants, with James Robson also back to lead the side.  

Stowe, forced to play in a cobbled together collection of black t-shirts due to the opposition also playing in yellow, dominated play directly from kick-off and it looked only a matter of time before they scored. And sure enough the away side took the lead through Harry Benyon, who skipped past a couple of defenders before slotting unerringly into the opposite corner. Indeed the goal showed the benefit of the team turning up for matches in good time as the finish matched the very drill Stowe had been practicing in their warm-up.

With conditions so much in Stowe's favour in the first half, it was imperative that they extended their advantage before the change of ends. The destructive duo of Alex Jollivet and Robson were winning the midfield battle ensuring that the Old Stoics controlled possession and numerous chances were created. However the home side's keeper was in inspired form, three times saving well hit efforts from Jamie Hirst, who would have had a hat-trick before half-term on another day. As good as their keeper was in these one-on-one situations, there was no such excuse for the fourth of Hirst's chances. His near namesake, Jamie Hirsch, was enjoying a rare game out of defence on the left wing and was tasked with corner duties. He whipped in a perfect ball to the back post where Hirst was left unmarked a few metres away from the goal and almost in line with the post itself. Unfortunately he somehow directed the ball wide of the post when it looked easier to score.

As is often the way, Stowe were punished for failing to take their chances when in the ascendancy. Mark Thompson-Royds rolled the ball out to right back Hamish Eggins, whose ball forward to Thomas Benyon was miscontrolled. From there a series of chances to tidy up were missed as Aldenham were able to pinch the ball in challenges just before the Stoics. This was then compounded as your author had the simple task of hoofing the ball clear, yet inexplicably managed to direct the ball backwards, straight into the path of the opposition striker. He was able to slide the ball across to his teammate who slotted past MTR.

Stowe responded well to losing the lead but at the half-time whistle as the rain began to lash down ever heavier, the teams remained tied. In the second-half the wind would be right in the men in black and blue's faces and the rain was making the ball skid on whenever it bounced. And the home side almost took the lead direct from kick-off by playing perfectly to the conditions as a ball was pumped downfield and looked to be heading harmlessly into MTR's hands. However on bouncing it gained pace and height and thankfully MTR was just about able to catch it above his head and save embarrassment.

The second half understandably became a scrappier affair but thankfully Jollivet and Robson were again harrying and harassing their opposite numbers superbly to ensure their defence only had the bare minimum of balls to deal with. Just as well as Aldenham's lone striker was strong and skillful and took careful handling to keep him at bay, something Hirst and Rowling were able to do so in the main. As the half wore on, it became clear that the next goal would be the winner yet despite positive intentions from both sides, the match was to finish all square. Hirsch perhaps had the best chance but he too was foiled by the home side's keeper, who took home the man of the match award.

So after four games, the Old Stoics are on four points but crucially have got three of the away games out of the way. A point apiece was probably a decent result given the conditions but your correspondent apologizes for being the man responsible for two points dropped.