A mixed bag of results this week: a comfortable win, a devastating drubbing and a ding-dong affair. Over to our undercover match correspondent for a re-cap of Saturdays 1st team action:
Returning Lytton clings to the railings after rebuffing Nyongs advances of a romantic boat ride
A number of subplots made the first XI’s match away at Civil Service an intriguing contest.
With both sides relegated from the top division last season, the game pitted two potential title challengers against each other. It also saw former midfield maestros Tom Lytton-Dickie and Sam Joiner return to action for the first time in over a year following serious knee injuries. Who took the points and how the duo faired would set an early marker for Old Garchonians expectations for the season.
As well as the creaking midfielders, Saturday saw a return to first XI action for Rish Gosh-Curling, the silky left back slotting in alongside Steve Edwards and Ishmael Osamor in a back four heavy on experience. Luckily pacy full back Theo Rodney completed the quartet, adding some much needed cut and thrust down the right hand side.
On an unseasonably hot September day the first goal was always going to be vital. Setting up in a 4-3-3 Old Garchonians struggled to get to grips with the opposition in the early exchanges, but a stunning strike from powerful midfielder Josh Nwokobia quickly changed the complexion of the game.
Taking a touch out of his feet and setting off into acres of space down the right hand side a blocked tackle from the opposition left back fell kindly for the midfielder. Glancing up as he raced onto the ball Nwokobia spotted the keeper off his line and executed a perfect lob into the roof of the net from 45 yards.
As goalkeeper Matt Nyong always says, goals change games, and boosted by Nwokobia’s wonderful strike Old Garchonians started to find their rhythm. Moving the ball nicely across the back four and into midfield, the switch of play out to Rodney and over the top to left winger Felix Murray began to cause the opposition particular problems.
Both sides struggled to create chances for their forwards, but it was clear Old Garchonians had the upper hand as half time approached. CIvil’s tactic of playing deep balls into the channels was the only real cause for concern, but Ghosh-Curling and Rodney, clearly no plonker, dealt with the threat with aplomb.
In right back Rodney Old Garchonians look to have signed a real prospect, with the time the club spent optimising their website for search engines over the summer paying dividends.
As Matt Nyong also always says, one nil is a dangerous scoreline and with players beginning to tire in the second half Old Garchonians needed a second goal to snuff out any hope of a fightback.
A freekick won by tricky winger Josh Dowling gave Lytton-Dickie – whose deadball delivery had been pinpoint all day – another opportunity to swing a ball into the box. Cometh the hour, cometh the skipper, with Osamor rising highest to plant a header over the stranded Civil keeper and into the back of the net.
A mixture of joy and relief flooded through Old Garchonians: barring a lapse of concentration at the back game was surely now won. The two goal cushion allowed the team to relax and start to enjoy themselves, keeping the ball ticking over in midfield and stretching their weary opponents.
There was still time for Murray to almost score the goal of the season. The left winger – who had been a typically mouthy thorn in the opposition’s side all day — darted in field on to a pass by Joiner before flicking the ball round the centre half and sprinting through on goal. Coursing with adrenaline after his Bergkamp-esque turn, Murray raced into the opposition half, but tired legs caught up with him and a chipped finish was palmed wide by the keeper.
Chances remained at a premium, but both Nwokobia, with a cross that hit the post, and Joiner, with a right foot volley that took everyone by surprise, went close to scoring a third goal that would have been harsh on a hard working Civil.
Solid at the back, tidy in midfield and a threat out wide, this mature performance, not something you can always say about Old Garchonians, augurs well for the rest of the season. Beers on the Thames followed to complete one of the best away days the team have had for a long time.
Special shout out must go to emergency loan signing Gerum Dujardin, who helped see out the victory and upped the level of sophistication both pre and post match with his excellent knowledge of Belgian beer.
Man of the Match: the Thames
Result: 2-0 win
The 2’s early season optimism took a bruising as did their pride against Alexandra Park. A drubbing against local rivals is always a bitter pill to swallow. The club have organised a training camp in Barcelona in their week off, heart rates will be raised.
Man of the match: Jamie Harney
Result: 4-0 loss
The 3’s took on a Norseman side with their ranks reinforced. After some international clearance issues Guillermo returned from Spain to provide two assists. A hat-trick from strike convert Chris O’Cally along with Strong performances from debutants Alex and Loyd, who got the other assist, bode well for the rest of the season. Farhad also made some crucial saves, a stark contrast to last weeks blunders. However, the opposition striker rumoured to be from their 1st team scored 4 and the points eluded us once more. Harvey did not score (nor did Jason). Rob was not on time.
Man of the Match: Chris O’Callaghan
Result: 5-3 loss
Upcoming:
Training
Thursday 12th September
8PM-9PM
@Whittington Park fault.asks.lobby
Matches
Saturday 21st September
1st XI
Home to Old Finchleians
3rd XI
Away to Old Lyonians
Manager Grimley “Do as I say not do as I do”