17th February 2007 Old Etonians II 1-2 OH (W Reidy, Nichols) Stop the press: the OH boys are back! After last week’s famous cup win, the trip to Eton saw Croxdale’s finest display their newfound bouncebackability to great effect. The boys were boosted by the long awaited return of goalkeeping hero Leigh James (pictured), who had spent most of the season running with Cardiff City’s Soul Crew, and Ben Russell, not seen at Croxdale all season, after letting in a goal straight from kick off in 2006 and being assaulted by a fan. There was high drama in the hours leading up to kick-off, with Vellosa and Paterson getting snarled up on the M25, Keeno and Biela ruled out because of exams, and Andy Evans threatening not to play unless OH turned out in the old school purple and blue kit. The ginger Salopians centre back would be delighted to know that his ‘fat boy’ slur had done the trick, apparently Evans now hates the revealing cut of the white kit – all hell will break loose if OH are instructed to wear the white kit should they make the Cup Final and Evans’ missus is in the stands!! Most shocking though was Richardson’s attempted dropout, citing ‘manflu’ as his get-out clause. “Don’t be a homo” pleaded Evans, and the job was done. Shockingly though, Rico later admitted that he wasn’t ill, but that his missus just didn’t want him to play! He’ll have to look to Russ ‘Turf Slapper’ Jones and Matt ‘The Silver Fox’ Jackson for guidance in the future, both of whom have faced accusations of missing games at their bird’s requests! Incidentally, rumour has it that Mrs Jackson has joined the campaign to rejuvenate Matt’s ailing barnet; apparently she gave her hubby a year’s supply of Just for Men for Valentine's Day! So onto the game, and OH started brightly, although they were slightly perturbed by Eton’s team strip, a mish-mash of white polo tops and multi-coloured socks that made our purple number look outrageously professional in comparison. “Mark the guy with the shit shorts” instructed Evans, “Which one?!!” begged Jones, almost in tears! The first 15 was all OH. Dominant in the air and knocking the ball around nicely, we looked the business. Russ Jones in particular proved a real menace, tearing past the full back several times and whipping in dangerous crosses. Will Reidy went through one on one but was foiled by the keeper, whilst Evans slapped the crossbar with a trademark free kick. The defence were looking solid, Chris ‘Mugabu’ Reidy and Evans winning their ariel duel with the 5”2 striker, and the Silver Fox and Raz making vital interceptions. So it was something of a shock when Eton drew first blood, a long throw-in making it’s way to Eton’s Gladiator-T Shirted winger, who cut across the area before firing through Reidy’s legs and inside the near post. OH refused to let the heads drop though, and Evan’s Barry Fry style switch in putting Nichols out on the right flank seemed to do the trick. Almost immediately he cut inside two defenders, only for the keeper to sit on the ball as Nichols went to unleash. The hitman was having none of it though, kicking the fallen keeper repeatedly in the head until the ref dived in, a yellow it was and the game ticked towards the break. Spirits were high during the half time chat, we were playing them off the park, we just needed a breakthrough, and needed to be patient – or did we?! 8 seconds into the first half and it was 1 apiece. Chris Reidy spread the ball to Raz, who found Vellosa, who chipped a delightful ball into the onrushing Will Reidy, who gleefully clipped the ball over the keeper to level the scores. The Eton boys were rattled, even more so 5 minutes later when OH took the lead, Rico doing fantastically on the left flank to turn his man and fizz the ball across the 6 yard box for Nichols to smash home. OH were rampant, and a tiring Eton side must have feared the worst when Ben Russell and Paterson entered the fray. Russell looked like he had a great Christmas, and he soon made an impact, first with a nonchalant flick out to the rampaging Nichols, and then holding the ball up well before threading the ball through to Will down the right. From the resultant throw in, OH almost made it three, Will Reidy bundling his way across the area before steaming a left footer off the base of the post. Then Jones hit an unbelievable 25-yard volley just wide of the right upright, and Vellosa had a low drive saved by the Eton No 1. Smudger, who has started calling himself ‘The White Makalele”, reverted to centre back, and things continued to look solid, Leigh making a real difference with his vocal and physical presence, and Paterson slotting in comfortably at his preferred position of full back. OH had Leigh to thank late on though as he produced two great saves to keep the lead in tact. First he repelled a one on one, but he saved his best for last, a last minute point blank save to keep the ball out of the onion bag. Man of the match: Tom Nichols – menacing up front, switched to the right flank for much of the game and produced a barnstorming display, took his chance well, tormented the left back, even found time to fill the keeper in early on. Well-played young man. Comedy moment of the match: Evans and Leigh’s backpass routine – was that legal?! Evans: “You what?! How can it be a backpass, the ball went forward!” Leigh: “I played against John Aldridge son, do one!” So that’s two on the spin now, and things are looking good, with top players to come back, and the chance to go 2nd in the League. Next up for the old boys it’s the whippersnappers at the school - surely they will be playing in blue and claret though, unlucky Evans!!