Despite the AFA cup semi-final being just two weeks away, eyes were firmly on the league as the 1’s sought to gain a desperately needed 3 points to potentially lift them out of the relegation zone.
Having dispatched opponents West Wickham in early January to partially avenge the 2016 Cup final defeat, confidence was high, especially after the two goal comeback at Owens the previous week.
Dee (one of the new boys from training) made his full debut after impressing in a cameo at Owens. Despite ignoring instructions to start on the left wing, he caused havoc off the right and played a big part in the OGs opening up a 2-0 lead within the first half an hour, scoring the second himself, with the solo celebration matching the top corner finish. A Ben Kahn tap in was responsible for the opening goal.
After a stunning, one handed, Matt Rosson save and a flurry of well delivered West Wickham corners were defended solidly, OGs grabbed a third before half time through a hammered Matt Brown volley from a corner of their own.
Halftime 3-0.
Having thrown away 2, two goal leads in recent weeks (both at Bank of England), nerves were understandably frayed when West Wickham pulled two goals back through a laughably bad penalty decision and a well taken 2nd.
Those nerves were relieved however when Matt Brown scored his second after a back post free kick was nodded across goal by Steve Edwards, leaving the goal gaping for Matt to head home and restore a two goal lead.
Edwards then fancied a goal of his own, attempting numerous audacious half way line attempts, but was ultimately thwarted by a combination of goalkeeper and ability.
It was left to Dee then to cap off a much needed win with a carbon copy of his first goal and celebration sealing a resounding 5-2 win and lifting OGs up to 9th.
Shout out to two other new boys Robbie and Nas for adding energy and guile and Matt Rosson for a commanding performance in net.
The 4’s travelled to, what is starting to feel like our home ground after several cup and league fixtures in the first half of the season, Norsemen, whose title challenge had begun to falter in recent weeks. Still looking for their first league win of the season and rooted to the foot of the table on 1 point the 4’s took a strong team and their unerring optimism on the road once more.
OG’s started on the front foot, a lively front three of Rak, Nick O’C and Big C causing havoc with pressure, runs and defensive work rate. This created space for Manc Tom(inay), on only his third appearance after a year-long lay-off with a sore knee, to bag a first half hat-trick, the last of these a swerving rocket from 25 yards. That was the last contribution from the Mancunian and the troublesome knee returned prompting rumours of retirement being on the cards. Rak soon succumbed to tightness and followed Tom to the sidelines, this followed by Norseman pulling one back from a corner dampened the OG’s mood going into half time.
A ding dong affair commenced in the second half, Norsemen got it back to 3-2 and nerves started to creep in, as did some nasty challenges, one resulting in George Owen taking a breather. This allowed Joe Alkins to move up into Centre Midfield and after closing down two men, making blocks at each found himself through on goal. After running from the half way line he calmly slotted under the keeper to establish a two goal lead once more. Norsemen however battled on and despite resolute defending throughout from Chris Whitfield and Mowbray a lofted effort caught George Lewis practising his golf swing near the corner flag, 4-3.
Norsemen were gaining dominance in our half against some tiring legs on a worsening pitch but a collector’s item once again gave OG’s a two goal cushion, Nick O’C swivelling in the box and rifling into the roof of the net to partially banish memory of many an earlier miss. However it was not to be and against some dogged Jay Edwards-Hill defending (some deemed over-zealous), Dan’s last ditch slides, Theo’s reintroduction to the back line and Carl doing his best to move around the pitch Norsemen scored two late on to share the points. 5-5.
The 4’s left Edmonton disappointed yet doubled their points tally for the season against tough opposition and will look to build on this in an all OG’s affair next week, 3’s v 4’s.
Harvey did not score.
Coming Up....
Saturday 24th February
Club AGM 6pm @ The White Lion
This meeting is open to anyone associated or interested in the club and especially to anyone willing to get involved in however small a capacity with the running of the club. We have been ran for too long by fewer and fewer people which is no longer sustainable. To continue, this needs to change.