10
The Don
HAMMY CUP 2019 - SELHURST PARK
OWFC 1st XI 2 - 2 OWFC 2nd XI
(4-2 on penalties)
After successful seasons in the league for both the 1sts and 2nds,
this year’s Hammy Cup proved to be a real showcase of how far both
teams have come in a year – producing one of the most riveting and
evenly contested finals in the tournament’s history.
Like most Hammy Cup fixtures, both teams started quickly, with
Paul O’Donoghue’s 2nds edging the first 20min period of the game
– creating a few opportunities through front man George Fry that
tested the 1sts goalkeeper Ryan without causing too much trouble.
The first big chance of the game went to the 1sts mid-way through
the first half, when attacking midfielder Conor Turner dribbled to the
bi-line and squared it to Jack Williamson to finish – the scuffed shot
from Jack was all but in until forward Luke Sandiford came across to
tap it in on the goal line
Massimo Agostini
Still dangerous on the break and determined to put the game to
bed, front man George Fry broke through the 1sts midfield and ran
from the halfway line, evading tackles from Max and centre back
Adam McCullagh to give himself a chance for his second and his
teams third. Just before he was due to pull the trigger, gargantuan
centre back Chris Jackson who replaced Liam Martin at half time
managed to recover and dispossess George before he had the
chance to finish the move.
Having just endured that psychological blow, the first turning point
of the game occurred just a few minutes later when another from
the O’Donoghue dynasty (brother Mark) cut inside a unleashed a
wrong footed strike from 25 yards to fly past between the sticks and
put the 2nds 1-0 up. A great strike and a huge boost for the 2nds
who had just been given a lifeline a few moments before. With around 20mins to go – the 1sts got their breakthrough. A
free kick delivered into the box by Max eventually fell into the path
of Chris Jackson who was pulled to the ground to give the 1sts a
penalty and a way back into the game. With usual penalty specialist
Dan Norman on the bench, substitute Pat Gibson stood up to be
counted and slotted the spot kick to bring it back to 2-1. 5minutes
later another free kick for the 1sts was won mid way into the 2nds
half. Max laid the ball into Lewis who subsequently played it back,
and then the ball was clipped over the top of the defence to find the
run of substitute Matthew Elcox who showed bravery and cunning
to get to the ball first and head it over the oncoming keeper and into
the net – 2-2.
On the stroke of half time, 1st team manager Max Agostini
committed a foul on the edge of his own penalty box to give main
man George Fry the chance to double the 2nds lead from a free kick
– George didn’t hesitate to take on the opportunity, and smashed in
the free kick from the edge of the box, curving round the wall and
into the bottom corner. Such a vital goal on the half time whistle
meant it was panic stations for the 1st team who were beginning to
feel as though the retention of the Hammy Cup was slipping away
from them. The next few minutes the game flared up a little with some robust
challenges from both sides – the altercations coming to a head when
George Fry saw red after a kick on midfielder Conor Turner off the
ball gave the referee no choice but to send him off. Having been so
dominant in the opening moments of the game, the 2nds were now
holding on for the last few minutes to take the game to penalties.
Short fire roles from Ferg, Luke, Jack Williamson and youngster Gus
Agostini sured up the last period of the game for the ones before
the final whistle blew – the cup was to be decided on a lottery.
The second half kicked off with the 1sts in desperate need of a goal,
and the 2nds just looking to play out the final 45minutes to secure
victory. Having had the half time period to reflect, the 1sts looked
as though they were playing with a slightly higher intensity in the
second half – the introduction of striker Matthew Elcox and full back
Lee Haley brought a different offering to the team, pushing back on
the 2nds in areas they had controlled up until this point. Chances
from Jack Williamson, Pat Gibson and a wonder strike from full
back Alex Hampson that hit the inside of the post, began to build
pressure on the 2nds in the initial 20mins of the half. Stand in keeper and Crystal Palace fan Ryan became a 1’s hero after
denying two penalties, giving the 1st XI victory as well as saving his
mate Lewis Hampson who had struck the post in his penalty.
The game was played in exactly the right spirit, and was an absolute
testament to how Mark Hampson (Hammy) approached the game
– highly competitive and feisty, but hands were all shaken after the
game and a mutual respect was reciprocated by both sides. Roll on
2020!
OWFC 3rd XI 2 - 6
OWFC Vets
Neil Andrews
Experience won on a sunny Sunday at Selhurst Park. Strollers got
off to a quick start when the 3’s made a mistake at the back that
allowed Paul Kenny to run through, one on one with the keeper and
squared the ball for Al Gardener to tap into an empty net. After long
spells of possession the lead was doubled half way through the half.
Some nice play around the box was finished off by Steve Norman.
In control of the game the strollers became complacent and was
undone by two set pieces that levelled the score. The first came
from a free kick midway into the strollers half. A quality delivery
caused problems and the ball fell to Sam Shefran who poked the
ball home from 6 yards. An almost identical free kick got the 3’s
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level. Ashley Jones rising above everyone with a header to make it
2-2 just before the halftime whistle.
After the break the 3’s, now with the momentum, enjoyed their best
spell of the game and had the strollers on the back foot for the first
10 minutes but Paul Kenny from almost his own penalty area picked
the ball up and went on a mazzie run, beating five or six players
and slotting the ball past the keeper to make it 3-2. The strollers
were not going to let this one slip. Al Gardener, Paul Kenny and
Garrett added another three goals to make the final score 6-2 to the
strollers.