The Old Felstedians hosted their first Arthurian League home tie at Herts Sports Village, sporting an immaculately groomed grass surface, dugouts and hot showers. OFFC were entertaining Old Epsomians, one of the favourites for the cup sitting in the top four in Division Four.

Kit Morley-Jacob partnered Joe Burslem for the first time, now leaving a selection headache when Rolls Royce Broom returns to the side. The pair were only troubled a few times in the opening stages, with Burns’ cannon able to find Cam Wallace far enough to keep the early play in the final two thirds.

Wallace had an early chance after a ball from the right was pulled back, but couldn’t quite sort his feet out for the finish – an indicator of OFFC’s part-time status. It wouldn’t be long however – with Grayson burying a third rebound shot past the Epsomians goalkeeper after two impressive reactive stops to put the Essex side 1-0 to the good.

Epsomians were then kicked into gear, with their more experienced heads sustaining some pressure – and bringing their dangerous right midfielder into the game. Joe Burslem unfortunately let his exuberance to win the ball get the better of him, with a penalty being awarded to the away side. A few crosses over the bar at this point were the only worries Burns had faced, but nevertheless this didn’t stop him nestling the resulting spot-kick into his gut with ease.

Here, there and every McIlvenna tormented the Epsominan left hand side, driving into the final third and buried his shot from outside the box into the bottom left hand corner to put the Old Felstedians 2-0 up. The second goal really knocked the confidence of the away side, but buoyed OFFC after their inspiring pre-match briefing.

OFFC manager King admitted his surprise at the quality of both sides at Half Time, even banding round some uncharacteristic positive encouragement.

Epsomians enjoyed a good fifteen minute spell after half time putting the OFFC back line under pressure, with their main outlet coming from their right midfielder. Tommy Burslem had however won that individual battle in the first half, and won it again in the second too. OFFC sat in and defended well, using Wallace as a target – Grayson and McIlvenna were quickly up in support.

Wallace, for a change, ignored calls to slip McIlvenna through on the counter – before turning the marking defender inside out and unleashing a shot from his left foot into the top corner across the goalkeeper to make it 3-0 to the part timers.

Parradine made his return to Arthurian League football after a long absence, completing seventy five minutes as opposed to twenty promised. The winger linked well with Grayson, before the latter danced round a defender and the goalkeeper before slotting into the right side netting to put the Old Felstedians 4-0 up.

Epsomians scored a consolation to chalk off Burns’ clean sheet, albeit he is now seeking a publishing deal for his perspective of the penalty save.

The game was littered with great performances.

At the back, Morley-Jacob had filled the rather large boots of Broom, Pritchard made his men’s debut, Tommy won the key matchup and Joe again had been mostly mistake free. Smith, McIlvenna and Grayson covered space well exceptionally whilst timing their advances and fully controlling the pace of the game. Wallace had caused all sorts of problems, adding another string to the Old Felstedian’s usually tidy football bow.

OFFC MOTM was awarded to O Grayson for his two goals, albeit there are several candidates.

OFFC will take on the Old Cranleighans on 14th February.

Lineup: F.Burns, B. Carrington, K Morley-Jacob, J. Burslem, T. Burslem, J. Smith (C), O. Grayson, M. McIlvenna, J. Dennis, C. Latham, C. Wallace, A. Pritchard, C. Parradine.