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OS Football Match Report

23 February 2016

Football_3

OSs Progress to Quarter-Finals after Hertfordshire Heroics


The Old Stoics broke new ground by making it into the draw for the quarter-finals of the Junior League Cup thanks to an extra-time win against Old Merchant Taylors.

Stowe were able to name a strong XI with every member boasting a number of appearances for the men in yellow and blue. Although as is seemingly inevitable with the Old Stoics, Thomas Benyon's estate agency commitments meant he was only able to arrive five minutes into the match even with Stowe's best delaying tactics. 

Nonetheless the familiarity of the side was clear with the back four of Harry W-G, Jamie Hirsch, Rowling and Eggins moving in synchronization to repel the initial threats from the home side. After electing to play up the slope and into the wind in the first half, the Stoics were happy to go into the half-time interval with a 0-0 scoreline. In truth the initial 45 minutes had been lacking in any clear-cut opportunities for either side, with captain Robson arguably having the best chance when firing over the bar after the ball fell to him just outside the six-yard box.

Although lacking in clear chances, the game was being played at a fast tempo with both sides comfortable on the ball and possessing players with the pace to exploit the open spaces available on one of the bigger pitches the Old Stoics have played on this season. The Benyon brothers on either wing were willing outlets throughout, even switching wings to fully test the Merchant Taylors' fullbacks. Up front, Tolly Leech and Jamie Hirst linked up well with one another and the midfield with Leech in particular undeterred by an increasingly boggy pitch as the rain fell in ever heavier quantities to show-off his full range of flicks, back-heels and step-overs. Even on one occasion beating his man only to leave the ball behind... 

Just as the Old Stoics looked to be gaining the upper hand in the match, they fell behind after a ruthless counter-attack from OMTs. The ball was played down their right flank where the striker played a inch-perfect cross into the six-yard box where the left-winger was able to nip in just before his marker, Eggins, to head home from close range. 
 
Despite the set-back, there was still over 20 minutes left in the match for the Old Stoics to draw level and as long as they maintained their composure and continued to play in the same vein, especially with their topographical advantage the second half provided them. Sure enough, it wasn't long before the game was all-square with Alex Jollivet's shot from outside the box striking Robson's outstretched leg and looping into the net with the home side's keeper stranded.

Speaking of keepers, Stowe's defence had largely kept Merchant Taylor's attacks at bay to such an extent that MTR in goal was beginning to suffer from hypothermia as he stood largely motionless between the sticks as the wind and rain battered him. However, he proved he was still very much alert to rush off his line to close down the angle as the OMT's nippy winger headed on goal and showed all his bravery to smother the ball at close range, taking a nasty blow on his leg for good measure.

Stowe nearly snatched the victory with the last action of the 90 minutes, as Rowling won the ball just inside the opposition half before playing in Hirst. His first touch brought the ball under control expertly only to fire narrowly wide with his second. 
 
So for the second season running, after an epic win on penalties in the darkening gloom away to Old Aldenhamians the previous year, Stowe's travels to Hertfordshire for a cup tie went into added time. Despite having no subs compared with the home sides three, the fitness levels of the likes of the Benyon brothers gave the yellow men confidence that they could win the match before having to resort to the lottery of penalties. The first 15 minutes of extra time flew by with neither side having a notable chance but shortly after the final restart Stowe scored what proved to be the winning goal. For the umpteenth time in the match, Thomas Benyon drove down the left beating his man in the process before shaping to cross. However the ball drifted over the keeper and dropped into goal just inside the far post. The goal may have been fortuitous but it was just reward from the ginger Benyon's tireless running throughout the match. 

Hirst then had the chance to put the game to bed when he was found unmarked just a few meters out but he got his feet in a mess and failed to get meaningful contact on the ball when it seemed easier to score. After missing a similarly straightforward opportunity the previous week, Hirst was worried he had got the scoring yips but don't worry Jamie, the key is to keep getting yourself in the right positions and the goals will soon flow.

Thankfully, Stowe weren't punished for this moment of profligacy and saw out the remaining minutes without alarm. The final whistle was greeted with a guttural roar from Eggins, showing just what this team means to some of the players with the reward of playing Old Berkhamstedians in the quarter-finals at home this Saturday. Full draw here: http://full-time.thefa.com/ProcessPublicSelect.do?psSelectedSeason=608145920&psSelectedDivision=148665326&psSelectedCompetition=122203158&psSelectedLeague=847518011

Man of the match was Jamie Hirsch who despite barely featuring in the commentary above had an assured performance at centre back, coping equally well with the dual threat of pace and power posed by the OMT forwards. Added to that he was as composed as ever on the ball, always seeking to find a teammate with a short pass regardless of the pressure he found himself in. At times his versatility has resulted in him being shunted around the pitch to fit in wherever required but on Saturday's showing the likes of Dom Farr, Ben Hirst and dare I say it, your author Rowling too, will have to raise their games if they are to make the centre-back role theirs!

Rupert Rowling (Cobham 05)