Royal Holloway Old Boys F.C.

1st XI 2 Ewhurst 1

A fast start from the Old Boys saw several chances for Biddis and Damo carved out early doors. There was great interplay from the midfield with Aidie anchoring and Goodie snapping around the ankles of the Ewhurst midfield. This pressure and the sharp passing of Warren and Marco meant very little for the back four to deal with in the opening spell.
Ewhurst then resorted to the odd long ball, creating the first of very few flash points. Joe rose well only to have the ongoing Ewhurst player charge into his chin, shoulder first as Joe headed the ball clear. Joe was clearly "not hurt" and was "fucking alright, alright" but never the less the referee was moved to banish him to the side lines after treatment.
Depsite this shaking of the back four Joe was quickly restored and Holloway continued to dominate possession. Ewhurst looked unlikely to trouble the defence except for the moments when the Old Boys gave the ball away in their own half. Not only did it result in needless pressure but it encouraged the oppo, just when they should have been beginning to feel vulnerable.
It was from one of these moments where Ewhurst were able to switch the ball right and swing in a hopeful cross. The ball floated towards the middle of the goal, far beyond the centre forward, but just awkward enough for Bungle to attempt to palm it over. Unfortunately it palmed into the top corner. Ewhurst 1-0 up.
Royal Holloway Old Boys quickly upped the pace again and carved another couple of chances for the front men. At this point a crowd of at least 4 had gathered and 5mins before half time Biddis latched onto a defense splitting pass to lift the ball over the on rushing Keeper. 1-1 Game on!

Half time RHOB 1 - 1 Ewhurst.

The second half started brightly, but RHOB were still prone to giving the ball away in their own half. This brought a fine save from Bungle and some good work from Joe and Andy. Pushing forward Birchley then started a move that would see the ball flowing to Paul Biddis whose shot was smartly saved by the Ewhurst Keeper, who not only looked like Van Der Sar but was playing like him.
Despite turning 30 last month Warren was onto the rebound, cleverly tucking away the ball off his knee for a goal. 2-1 Old Boys.
3 midfield changes saw Warren, Goodie and Damo replaced by Foley, Popof and AJ and the fresh legs kept Ewhurst well and truely on the back foot. Time time again the Ewhurst keeper prevented the OB's stretching the lead and putting the game beyond reach.
Savill gave a dangerous free kick away when the ball was down field through shouting "get his head down he's shit" at the opposing full back. Needless and could have resulted in a draw had they scored.
The Old Boys have to learn to do kill off teams, as despite some lovely skills from Foley in the corner and some great defensive tackling from AJ and Adie, Savill and Joe "I'm not fucking hurt" found them selves increasingly stretched by Ewhurst pushing men forward and playing direct.
The game still had time for a couple of crunching tackles from Joe, and a shot from Popof; placing it when perhaps he should have gone for power.

Full time RHOB 2- 1 Ewhurst.

MOTM Paul Biddis.

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