The Old Felstedians buried their ‘first round fodder’ tag after putting Arthurian League Division 5 opponents Old Salopians II to the sword in Chiswick. OFFC travelled into London for their David Woolcott Trophy first round tie, hoping to avenge their heavy defeat at the hands of the Old Kingstonians last year.

The red Kappa kit made its debut on a soggy Saturday morning, aptly contrasting to the Salopians’ black historical 1903 strip. OFFC conducted their first ever intensive warm up – under the impression they were taking on one of the Arthurian Division One sides on the adjacent pitch. All were relieved when they were informed that they were in fact in the wrong place.

The game started how the Kingstonian tie ended, with Salopians enjoying a 10 minute barrage of corners and impressive long throws which the OFFC defence managed to repel. Burns, Holmes, Broom and the Burslems effectively blocked and deflected for the frantic start. The Salopians were unable to convert any of their initial set-pieces, although at this point OFFC really did look like a part-time side up against a regular league team.

It was an OFFC set-piece of their own which broke the deadlock, with Broom heading down to J Burslem with his back to goal – swivelling to smash into the top right hand corner surrounded by four Salopian defenders making it 1-0. The goal came after OFFC started to find some rhythm, having not having the best start possession wise.

The half hour mark saw the midfield of Smith, Grayson and King click together and the trio enjoyed a wealth of time and space as the Salopains had decided to sit off. Bronze crucially blocked a goalward shot with Burns making two close saves to keep their first half clean sheet.

The introduction of Morley-Jacob livened the OFs up, Dennis benefitting from his through ball, rounding the goalkeeper and slotting into the bottom corner to make it 2-0. A King corner saw Morley-Jacob time a perfect run at the near post to dramatically crash his header into the back of the net for 3-0 just before half time.

The Old Felstedians enjoyed heavy first and second third possession, for the duration of the second half – with all combinations of 10 players behind Dennis linking well with one and two touch play on the 4G surface. OFFC fans can only dream of the patterns if the team were to play with eachother every week.

The Salopians earned a consolation goal, but failed to apply any real pressure aside from their spritely start to the first half. Whilst chasing another, beanie donning Holmes scuffed a 1 on 1 past the goalkeeper to make it 4-1 and a very enjoyable day out.

OFFC MOTM was awarded to J Burslem for his excellent defensive work alongside Broom and weaker foot finish to open the scoring.

OFFC will take on the Old Epsomians in the second round on 10th January.

Lineup: F.Burns, G. Holmes, C. Broom, J. Burslem, T. Burslem, J. Smith, O. Grayson, T. King, J. Brodie, B. Carrington, J. Dennis. K. Morley-Jacob, J. Bronze, P. Stanley