OS Football Match Report

16 February 2016

Old Stoics extend their unbeaten run to three games, but fail to beat a weak relegation bound Cholms

Stowe returned fresh from their extended three week international break. The foul weather wasn’t going to deflate the mood. Messrs Hirsch, Benyon and Jollivet drove 4 hours round trip to make it. Stowe fielded a strong side, although it would soon become apparent how they missed the engines of Rowling, Farr and Empson.
 
With the wind howling, Stowe kicked off and started passing the ball around nicely, winning the midfield battles. Haggis, available now the shooting season’s over made an instant impact, winning the ball deep in our own half, producing a fine ball to Harry Benyon who played in Tolly Leech, with the keeper beaten and an open goal in front of him, it looked easier to miss than to score, however with the heaviest of touches, Tolly took the ball wide of the goal and when he finally got his shot off, the defender was back to clear it off the line.
 
Stowe continued to press and got the breakthrough after a delightful cross field ball was taken down well, played across the box quickly from Tolly to Benyon and finally to Jamie Hirst who made no mistake – Stowe lead!
 
From this point it should have been plain sailing but it was not to be and, frankly, was nothing short of embarrassing. The opposition had won two corners, the second one floated in, nestling in the far corner.
 
Stowe were unable to find the second goal and went into the break 1-1.
 
The second half never got going. James Robson, who had previously been in inspired form showed his age, or rather his night time activities had caught up with him.
 
Too often Stowe looked for the direct ball, and too often it was poorly controlled and possession squandered. That said, four golden opportunities presented themselves. In the last minute, Benyon Jr Jr had intercepted a poor goal kick, however the wind seemed to stop him in his tracks, and he was unable to get his shot off. With one last throw of the dice the ball was whipped in, badly punched away by the keeper, who was doing his best to help Stowe score. It fell kindly onto J Hirst’s head, and he calmly…headed the ball high and wide! And that was that. The ref blew, 1-1 the final score.
 
This weekend brings us another opportunity to right our wrongs and progress in the Cup.  It would be nice to lift our first trophy, we have a good chance this year.
 
Hamish Eggins (Temple 09)