Saturday 3rd February Old Salopians 2–4 Old Habs (Rico 2, W Reidy, Own Goal) (Att. 4) “We all want to get to a cup final, it’s the only day when the bird you’re shagging, or the bird you want to shag, will believe that you’re a half decent footballer” – Andy Evans Inspirational words from the seasoned cup campaigner, and they seemed to do the job, as a patched up OH side tore into Old Salopians in true cup fashion, desperate to end their 3 month winless streak and of course to bone some ladies. After the 2nd delayed kick off of the New Year (which sounds professional when you read it on Teletext as it means there is a big crowd, but in our case invariably means half our squad are still on the road!), OH started well and forced a couple of early corners, Rico putting his marker down for miss of the season with an incredible header that came of his head at a 90 degree angle with the onion bag at his mercy! OH looked dangerous though, and were shocked when Salopians hit on the break, their bulky No.9 sensationally doing a ‘Pele’ on Reidy, before slotting into an empty net. But OH’s 10 men kept their heads high, and the equaliser arrived shortly afterwards. Keeno swang in a succession of menacing corners, one of which fell to Will Reidy. His hooked cross was met perfectly by the Salopians centre back, who rose majestically to glance the ball into the far corner. 1-1, maybe the OH boys would get lucky on May 14th after all! Back came Salopians, and after a number of sliced clearances, the ball sat up perfectly for their No.10 on the edge of the six yard box. He thundered in a half volley, only for Reidy to steel himself and produce a wonder save, tipping the ball round the post when lesser beings may have dived out of the way to avoid getting slapped in the face by the ball! Still beaming from the save though, Reidy flapped at a corner, which was duly headed back over him at an incredibly slow speed, dropping into the exact middle of the goal to give Salopians the lead once more. A woeful goal but I’m sure it’s the initial save that the fans will remember for years. Buoyed by Raz’ arrival, OH soon levelled things up, Rico notching after a sustained period of pressure. We were looking quality, winning lots of challenges, trying to knock the ball around, and keeping the home team on the backfoot. Emotions were high, and briefly threatened to boil over when cultured centre back Robin Biela, and turf-slapping winger, Russ Jones, came close to a Keiron Dyer/Lee Bowyer style scuffle. Things were looking good though as the busy ref blew up for half time. OH flew out of the traps after the break - Biela connecting with Keeno’s free kick and Rico nonchalantly stroking home his 2nd of the match. 10 minutes later and it was 4-2, this time Will Reidy sending a looping header back over the Salopians keeper to put the game seemingly out of reach. Salopians were shell shocked, and were clearly getting wound up by the Kev Harris/Andy Evans double act - some quality banter coming the opponents way at any set piece. None more cutting though than the treatment dished out to Matt Jackson, the Salopians striker sprinting after him as the players waited for a goal kick – “seriously son, isn’t it time you thought about Just for Men?!”. A classic bit of abuse that left Jackson in a trance like state, judging by his despondent nature in the dressing room after the game, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him turning up next week with a glistening black barnet! A few hairy moments ensued as OH closed out the game, Reidy’s kicking from backpasses a major threat to OH’s lead. As the time ticked away an angry Biela clattered into the back of the Salopians winger, earning himself a yellow card. Apparently he muttered “have that Jones you shithouse!!” as he stood over his victim, although I may have made this up. But with Smudger battling away in the centre, and Raz careering around like a lunatic, the OH stood firm. Evans, Harris, Biela, and Jackson won important last ditch headers, and OH almost added another, Russ’ cultured through ball setting Will through on the left. The final whistle was greeted with fervent joy; the boys had won again, and lifted the curse of Steve ‘Shylock’ Jameson! I actually missed the final whistle as I was trying to decide which bird I was going to take to the final! Men of the Match: Rico: Battled well, changed positions a few times, banged in two, also found time for his wonder miss. Evans: Absolute beast at the back, won everything and didn’t cane me when I was kicking the ball like a small child! Comedy Moment of the Match: Evan’s Grade A put down of the Salopians Ginger centre back: Evans: "You’re shit mate, I’m playing you off the park" Ginger centre back: "You must be delighted mate" Evans: "I’m delighted I haven’t got that shit ginger barnet of yours son!" So Eton away on Saturday, and it’s sure to be an emotional day as Leigh James makes his long awaited comeback at his childhood school. Let’s get another a winning run going, get in!