It is not often that many positives can be drawn from a comprehensive defeat, although on this occasion the Old Felstedians can be proud of their efforts against a flying Old Kingstonians side.

Rocked by Burns being unavailable between the sticks, James C(a)tterill claimed a MOTM performance with tremendous double and triple saves to keep the scoreline at single figures.

OFFC started the game with only 10 players, with debutants Joe Bronze (leaving Felsted in 2000), Paul Stanley and Ben Holmes. An excellent solo Old Kingstonian effort opened the scoring, adding a second from a penalty shortly after.

Broom, Bronze and Dennis’ key chances unfortunately weren’t converted, with Dennis’ 1 on 1 clash with the OKs ‘Keeper effectively taking the Old Felstedians down to 9 men for the rest of the game.

Knowing the odds were against them, the Old Felstedian backline repelled cross after cross and corner after corner, with a two man overload really making things tough. Broom and the Burslem brothers dug in and showed excellent resolve.

The referee blew the halftime whistle with the Old Kingstonians 3-0 up. The second half however was where the physical advantage really set in, with the OKs using 14 (very good) players on a roll on roll off basis.

Despite the scoreline, the attitude and effort of the Old Felstedians (despite feeling like turkeys waiting for Christmas) remained exemplary.

Grayson tried time and time again to drag the midfield with him, including two nutmegs and two even rarer headers. Kingham was notching up elite running figures – it really was an all round performance to be proud of.  41 year-old Bronze epitomised the OF spirit having not played in 10 years, nearly claiming a goal and assist.

The Old Kingstonians added six more in the second half, two from individual brilliance with the others attributed to numerical advantage. The two hour trip down to Thames Ditton was made easier by the excellent facilities and the good all-round blokes the Old Kingstonians are. They are surely now nailed on for the title this season. 

Manager King reflected in the George and Dragon, “Football is predominantly turning into a stats based business, to only concede from 1 in 10 corners and 1 in 15 crosses is testament to the lads efforts in the face of adversity.”

In the lead up to the game, OFFC had asked collectively around 175 Old Felstedians to turn out down in Surrey for this fixture. Positively, a keen crop are set to graduate from Uni this summer to bolster the ranks, a week later and we may have been able to draft a few more in.

A summer of recruitment awaits the OFFC management team.

Squad:

James Cotterrill
Paul Stanley
Charlie Broom
Joe Burslem
Tommy Burslem
Tom Kingham
Oliver Grayson
Ben Holmes
Jon Dennis
Joe Bronze