3rd March 2007 Junior League Cup QF Aldenham 2-1 Old Habs (Nichols) Monday 5th February, 1.30pm; work up and down the land comes to a standstill, eyes glued to TVs and computer screens, the draw for the Junior League Cup Quarter Finals is made. The crowd at Lancaster Gate let out a huge gasp as Terry Venables pulls out the Number 2 ball – OH are travelling to Aldenham. Croxdale Ultras celebrate and local police panic as footage cuts to Croxdale Road, where in true cup style a plethora of OH stars have gathered to view the draw in the boozer. With the players unaware they’re beaming out live already, the cameras catch the end of stalwart Andy Evan’s chat with Leigh James: "It’s the only day when the bird your shagging, or the bird you want to shag, will believe you’re a half decent footballer"……… Pure drama, 3rd March would witness a coming together of 2 of the heavyweights of the Arthurian League in a classic derby encounter. What a prospect. And so the day arrived, with the OH boys on a relatively fine run of form (ignoring a 9-3 pounding by the 6th form). The hosts included several first teamers in their starting XI, and the OH boys knew they’d have to work hard to stop The Ham playing, particularly given the blazing sun and 1st half uphill climb. But after a snarling teamtalk by Keeno and Andy, OH started well, everyone putting the work in. Matt Jackson in particular had a great half, battering his man in the air and on the deck, fans noting that he’s played like a man 10 years his junior since the ‘Just for Men’ jibe flung at him in the previous cup round. OH were standing firm, and were content to battle for set pieces and play on the counter attack. Aldenham on the other hand were very nippy, and thought they had gone ahead when their left winger danced around King and Chris Reidy, before sending the ball across goal. Matt Jackson nipped in ahead of Leigh to send the ball rolling into his own net, before RUSSELL JONES (yes Russ Jones back helping out in his own area) sprinted back to somehow hack off the line. Whether it was over the line or not was unclear, the ref as stunned as everyone at the Turfslapper’s new found love of tracking back. This was a sign of things to come, with King, Chris Reidy, and Jackson all clearing off the line as the pressure mounted. If it sounds like we were getting battered, to be fair we looked menacing ourselves, Russ repeatedly dropping in to receive the ball and run at their back four, Raz up and down like a yoyo, and Evans, Will Reidy and Rico all putting dangerous balls into the mixer. So it was a harsh blow when Aldenham went ahead with an absolute steamer, their Damien Francis lookalike crashing one into the top corner from fully 25 yards. Raucous celebrations ensued, but OH refused to crumble, and deservedly drew level when Evans, Will Reidy and Tom Nichols won a series of challenges in the Aldenham box, the ball dropping to Nichols who smashed it past the keeper. The terrace shook as Manager Keeno and latecomer Kev Harris goaded the Aldenham fans, we were back in the mix! A great period followed, as OH forced corner after corner, but at half time the scores remained 1-1. The boys marched out for the 2nd half with their tails up and desperate to force a result – none more so than the notorious Reidy Brothers, who wanted the job done in normal time to attend the mouth-watering Watford V Charlton tie later in the day. But the 2nd half proved similar to the first, as both sides struggled to take full control of the match. OH were lucky to escape on several occasions, largely thanks to returning hero Leigh James, who pulled off a number of outstanding one-on-one stops. The most comedy was probably when Evans went to slap a free kick into the Aldenham half, the OH boys lining up in the opposition penalty area. Evans stumbled though and produced the kick of a small boy, the ball trickling to Aldenham’s centre forward who was only denied by Leigh rushing off his line. As the game ticked towards extra time, OH threatened a few more times, substitute Keeno rinsing their full back only for Will Reidy’s shot to be blocked on the 6-yard box, and Rico and Smudge bossing things in the midfield. Neither side could force a winner though, 90 minutes: 1-1. Extra time saw the introduction of Kev Harris for Matt Jackson, OH looking to sure things up as legs tired. To be honest I can’t actually remember too much of what happened during the added period though, the 2nd half and extra time all seem to blend into one, which is probably down to my chronic lack of fitness and subsequent lack of oxygen to my memory cells. But I can remember 3 things clearly; first of all Smudger’s performance, the White Makalele having an incredible game, winning every header and 50-50, tracking back, and linking well with Rico in the centre of the park - well played son! Another clear memory is the moment when OH thought they had nicked a win, Evans sending a ball over the top for Russ Jones to rush onto. He did well to brush off two challenges, but as the keeper approached the forward lost his head and ballooned it over the bar. Players went down on their knees, and fans were shocked – anyone who’d seen footage of him in a trilby, wearing braces and clicking his fingers at last weeks ‘Jazz Fest’ in Chelmsford might have expected a cool finish from the laid back groover, but alas he tried to belt it and the onion bag was untroubled. The final memory was clocked at 119 minutes, disaster striking as penalties loomed. Aldenham broke down the left, and swung a hopeful ball across the area. Will Reidy screamed at his brother Chris that a man was ghosting in on his left shoulder, but alas the Hatch End ladies man must have been dreaming of boning girls on cup final night, as he was caught off guard when the ball deflected back to the rotund Aldenham winger. In true cup fashion the ball was pinged the ball into the far corner, sparking wild celebrations and a poetic rebuke from Will Reidy "I fucking told you he was there, you c*nt!!" Still OH pressed though, Leigh James piling up for set pieces as the hosts clung on amid a flurry of set pieces. But finally the whistle went, and the cup run was over. Chaos ensued as Leigh went wild and took on the whole Aldenham team, none of whom seemed too keen on stopping him. Their cultured centre back tried in vain to apologise, what we really wanted though was an apology for that haircut - had he really predicted the score after 90 minutes and been so sure of himself that he’d asked his barber to shave it into his receding barnet. Or was it not 1-1 but in fact I-I, in tribute to the charity group who work tirelessly over the globe in famine ridden countries. He seemed like an intelligent bloke so I’m sure it was the latter, fair play to him, what a legend. So out of the cup, and things got worse for the Reidy brothers as they arrived late to Watford, missing ‘The Orns’ net two goals. They were there, however, for the Charlton fightback, Watford compounding the brothers’ misery by doing 'an OH' and conceding in the last minute. Nevermind though, it was a great game and I thought we played really well against a quality side. There were great performances all round, Rico, Smudge, Raz and Leigh standing out, and we can still finish 2nd, giving us a chance to exact revenge next year!