A steady pre-season has come to a close, a rejuvenated club ready to embark on what feels like a come back season. Changes in management, an overhaul at board level, fresh sponsors, new home ground, new pub. After 8 years since the black and gold began tearing up the Southern Amateur League, a flaccid attempt of a campaign ensued and resulted in relegations for the 1st and 3rd teams, while the 2nd team barely competed in a league several levels beneath what had become expected of them. Cometh the 2019/20 season, 9 years of Old Garchonians and with it an unwavering resolve to get back where we belong.
The first 11 started their campaign against an old North London rival, Alexandra Park. A barn storming affair. One for the ages. A neutrals dream. A point on the board, a clean sheet and Matt Nyong successfully purchased a ladder to retrieve stray balls from our new home in Enfield.
Result: 0-0
Man of the Match: Ladder
The second 11 are encompassing everything about the club this season, upward trajectory and positive changes. They have been reinstated back in the 2nd tier of the Intermediate divisions, a whole 3 steps up the pyramid from last season and management has been seized by keen angler, Eoin Doran. Striding through Highgate woods, net bulging with prize talent, after a summer casting off into the murky waters of amateur football. They began their campaign by taking a trip to Chiswick to lock horns with Civil Service who, after comfortably securing third position last time out, would be a good gauge of where this newly assembled squad was at.
The first half was a hard-fought, edgy affair with the Black and Gold growing in confidence after getting the best of the early exchanges. Despite numerous set-pieces providing an aerial assault on the Civil penalty area the scores remained 0-0 at the half. Enter, The Fish. A man who if he were a fish would be a great white, a colossus of the ocean, reigned in and crammed into an OG’s jersey. Our dominance grew and before long Civil were holding on to a point with all they had, finally the pressure told. Steve Mac strode out of defence and began a move which allowed newly instated Captain Adam Tripp to work some magic down the line before playing in the catch of the day to power home.
The game started to open-up but only to our advantage yet chance after chance went begging. A corner against the run of play came into the OG penalty area eluding everyone bar a red shirt on the goal line who could not refuse a tap-in. 1-1.
The Old Garch rallied in the last ten minutes, two goal-line sitters from Jamie Harney and Pele combined with some brave goalkeeping and last ditch defending to send us home unhappy with taking only a point.
Result: 1-1
Man of the Match: Tommy Fish
The third 11 have to wait another week to begin their campaign but ended their pre-season in fine fashion. They ran out 4-2 victors against Old Minchendenians. A brace from veteran Chris O’Callaghan, one for Alex and, by his prolific standards, a meagre 1 for Harvey GOALS Soper. The 3’s need to make the most of the bountiful marksmen before he heads back to University at the end of the month.
Result: 4-2 Win
Man of the Match: Harvey Soper
Upcoming:
Training
Thursday 12th September
8PM-9PM
@Whittington Park fault.asks.lobby
Matches
Saturday 14th September
1st XI
Away at Civil Service
2nd XI
Home to Alexandra Park
3rd XI
Home to Norsemen
We are going up.
Say we are going up.