After slipping to their first league defeat of the season at the hands of Norseman 4s last time out – our third team had the chance for INSTANT retribution with the reverse fixture bringing in the New Year.
Last time out was a DING-DONG affair. A 5-4 defeat reflected a poor start from a weakened OGs side. This time out there was never going to be a repeat of that. With no Christmas party hangovers or last-minute drop-outs to deal with we took a fresh and full squad to Norsemen.
Old Garchonians possessed a certain steely confidence. A focussed warm-up translated straight onto the pitch with a lightening start – a rarity and hopefully a trait of 2018. After spells of early possession we capitalised with an early break down the right allowing Aydin to square for JOE NOUTCH. The nicest man in football was beaming as he had simple task of tapping into an empty net.
Moments later it was two. Another break – this time down the left – as Ben Owen muscled his way onto a through ball. He prodded the ball past the on-rushing goalkeeper and into AYDIN’S path. The Aussie maestro – starting in the number ten role – met the pass at the same time as a Norsemen defender and did his bit by emphatically slide-tackling the ball home.
Norsemen were all at sea. Needless to say they had under-estimated the OGs. The chances kept coming with Joe Alkins coming close and Nathan rattling the crossbar before we claimed our third thanks to JOE NOUTCH. WHAT A MAN AND WHAT A VERY LOVELY GOAL. An Owen to Owen combo in the middle of the park gave the younger of the two the time and space to pick out a peach of a pass to NOUTCH who beat the offside trap and clipped past the keeper.
It was no less than the 3s deserved and all but secured the win with only half an hour gone. Before the half was out they lost their talismanic captain B. Owen to injury as he was forced off with a twisted knee – and Nathan managed to BLAST one wide when it seemed easier to score or leave the chance to one of several others in the box who would have scored.
The second-half was a walk in the park. Conflicting reports for the OGs fourth goal as I found myself taking an early shower when it went in. I can confirm that it was scored by George Owen. Some claim he waltzed through the Norsemen defence like a young Zinedine Zidane and slid it home, others suggest he bundled through with the grace and poise of a one-legged ostrich before bundling past the keeper. Either way we were home and dry. There was still time for Nic O’Callaghan to live up to his reputation by missing an open goal after having run the length of the pitch and rounded the keeper.
Norsemen managed a late consolation after a lapse in concentration at the back which denied Matt Rosson a clean sheet on his return to third team action.
All in all it was a tremendous result for the OG 3s who continue to rack up the wins. Man of the Match has to be JOE NOUTCH for his first half double and general fervour for all things football.