A windy Old Merchant Taylor’s awaited OFFC’s David Woolcott Trophy game against Arthurian League Division 4’s Old Shirburnians.

After a first round exit in both the 23/34 and 24/25 competitions, OFFC had beaten Division Five Old Salopians II and Old Cranleighans away and both Division Four Old Epsomians and Old Amplefordians at HSV this season to make Finals Day. The Old Felstedians were taking to the Final in only their sixth game of the season, hoping to emulate the Cup-only Old Worthians in last years final who beat regular League side Old Oundelians.

The OFs listened very closely to the forthright assistant referee’s pre-match briefing, with Burns as usual asking for clarifications. The pitch itself showed a reasonable amount of wear, which paired with the gusting wind made for it be a direct style of game.

A direct run in fact from the Old Shirburnian right winger, stepping inside to place past Burns put the home side 1-0 up. The OFs had made a slow start, fortunately having the wind blow a corner out of play to give them a break in the early play. The Felstedians failed to convert a goalmouth scramble in the Shirburian box, and apart from some good running from Kingham and shot from Parradine – it was far from a game for the spectators as the Half Time whistle blew.

The OFs started the second half pushing on and causing a few more problems for the tall Shirburnian defence. Toby King’s equaliser earned Arthurian League Chairman Will Hoyle’s Champagne moment, after beating his man and firing in from an acute angle across the Goalkeeper to inspire some attacking impetus.

At the other end, a barrage of corners into the strong breeze made it difficult for Morley-Jacob, Burslem and Burns to repel. After their valiant attempts, eventually a flick on was inevitably converted by the Shirburnians to put them 2-1 to the good. The scrappy game continued with the home defence reading the ball in the air well and making most of the second balls. The Shirburinans appealed for an offside Kingham run, only to find the assistant referee chatting to the Arthurian League hierarchy as opposed to paying attention to the game.

A breakaway down the Felstedian left saw a low cross find the lively Shirburnian winger at the back post to make it 3-1. The game at this point was still not completely over, but despite the customary game management coming into force, a deep free-kick saw Jon Dennis aim a header near post to pull the game back to 3-2. There were only a few minutes left, the Shirburnians perhaps regretting some selfish attacking actions to put the game to bed earlier.

A final deep free-kick in stoppage time was the last chance for the Felstedians to force an unlikely draw to send the game to penalties. The delivery was however too deep and cleared – with the whistle blowing for Full Time.

The Old Shirburians were the better team on the day, drawing in their full depth of players. If this same group of players was available for them every week, the summit of Division Four would surely be within reach. The Old Felstedians will be now be more conscious of availability into the Spring – being the first season they have made it past Christmas in Arthurian League competition.

Some are now branding the Arthurian League the ‘Availability League’ as withdrawals from Old Brentwoods IV and Old Kings Scholars seeing Old Worthians being pipped by Old Cheltonians to the Division Five title after results were expunged. Likewise the DWT itself contained three walkovers, including one of the Quarter Finals.

The Old Felstedians have done especially well to progress into the Final this year, facing the half in/out of London logistical challenge as many of the teams do. Hopefully this season has shown what is possible when management try to convince players to make the 2hr+ trips into TW12 and W4. The Old Felstedian Football Club will again be on the look our for more Old Felstedians who are living in and around London for next season.

Lineup: F. Burns, J. Head, K. Morley-Jacob, J. Burslem, T. Burslem, J. Smith, O. Grayson, T.King, C. Parradine, T. Kingham, J. Dennis, C. Wallace, F. Preston, G. Holmes

DWT 25/26 Goalscorers

• Toby King – 4
• Max McIlvenna – 4
• Jon Dennis – 3
• Oli Grayson – 2
• George Holmes – 1
• Kit Morley-Jacob -1
• Joe Burslem – 1
• Cam Wallace – 1
• Charlie McHale – 1