Page 59 - Old Malvernian Newsletter - Issue 43 - 2020

OM SPORT
go full Mourinho, dancing down the touchline in celebration. A disappointing spring saw fewer highlights, the exception being Mark Jefferson’s last-gasp equaliser at Lancing which prompted more wild celebrations, this time minus Godsland and Scammell, who may or may not have been serving touchline bans. Unfortunately the poor run of form saw the OMs drop out of the promotion race, but a strong end to the season ensured they ended just four points off second, with Kume Feese impressing in particular during the run in.
Overall it was a strong season for the football club, with many positives. Odge Davey proved himself among the best goalkeepers at this level, youngsters such as the impressive Josh Rowat, Fred Wynn and Matt Baynham were
Veterans’ XI
Sunday 14 April 2019 will be noted in the record books as the day that the OM Vets created history by successfully defending the Derrick Moore Trophy, beating (another) Essex team, Brentwood, 2-1 in the final at the Bank of England ground. This capped another successful season, under player-manager Daniel Madden, proving without doubt that the OMs are the pre-eminent team in the Arthurian League in winning the cup for the second year in a row and picking up their fourth trophy in five seasons.
The Vets were was full of familiar faces with eight of the starting XI having played in the first cup win in 2015. There were however some enforced changes to the squad from the impressive semi-final win against Chigwell, with player-manager Madden replacing David Nash in goal and Ben Rogers replacing Peter Ford in midfield. The cornerstone of the team remained however with Robbins, Whitworth, Scammell and Simons lining up in their familiar positions in the back four with the Dominic Hutt and Alex Richardson partnership in central midfield. Joe ‘Jeeves’ Murtagh joined Ben Rogers on the left and right wing respectively whilst the pace and guile of Paul Hardinges and Tom James led the line. This would be a formidable line up
consistent members of the squad, with veteran trio Alex Richardson (a constant source of assists as well as vocal ‘encouragement’), Ford and Tom Drew, while at the other end of the age spectrum, proved themselves as committed as anyone. Demi Onabawale was named player of the season and Ayo Afolabi top scorer, with the side led by captain Velarde and his able deputy Feese. With his defensive partner in crime Arslan Arkallaev on a season-long loan in Milan, Mark Jefferson led the back four along with the combative Ed Ford and ever impressive Melvin Stoltze. Alec Godsland, Jack Nicholls and Ed Davenhill were all key players throughout the season too and the club avoided serious injuries, with only the mercurial Martin de la Concha Salama
at any level of amateur football, not least in the Vets, and with the pace, finesse and skill of Simon Varney, James Richardson and Dave Gulliver waiting eagerly on the bench the squad were confident that if they played to their strengths another cup win would be in the offering.
Despite starting the match well the OMs failed to convert a few early chances, not least a couple of headers from Tom James and Ben Rogers, and found themselves a goal down midway through the first half: a long Brentwood throw-in was not cleared and the Brentwood winger took advantage with a slight mis-kicked lob that managed to drop into the net. This galvanised the Brentwood team and they began to dictate play through their direct long-ball tactics. Additionally, the hard, dry Bank of England pitch was aiding Brentwood’s direct style of play rather than the slick passing the OM Vets have become renowned for. That said, OM heads did not drop and they managed to impose themselves more and more as the game went on. This has become the key characteristic of this squad, having the tactical nous that they need to dig in when they’re faced with periods of pressure so that they don’t concede needless goals, knowing that they will eventually grind down the opposition as matches progress owing to their superior fitness levels. This was a
sadly missing for long periods with an ankle problem.
The saddest note of the year for the club came with the passing Iain Denham, a true Old Malvernian legend and not just for his talents as one of the best players to ever represent the school.
Finally, for any OMs wishing to get involved with playing football, the club plays home games at Brunel in west London and trains once a week on Wednesdays at Clapham junction. All new players are welcome, with the likes of Josh White the latest to join the ranks. If you’re interested please contact captain Archie Velarde at archiev34@yahoo. com / 07590460568
particular point not missed by Paul Godsland who, from the sidelines, was always ready to provide reassurances to the Brentwoodians that the Malvernians’ fitness levels would be the key to unlocking victory; the fact that his impassioned shouts of encouragement of “You’re fitter than them, keep going” always coincided with a Brentwood player going down with cramp must have been pure coincidence! The squad would once again like to thank Paul for his continued support of the OMFC both in person and digitally, via the Malvernian Society’s ever-growing social media presence!
Half-time came with the OMs still a goal down but dominating possession and chances continuing to be created. The half- time team talk centred on trusting the game plan and being more clinical in and around the box. The OMs equaliser finally came 15 minutes into the second half, a George Simons in-swinging corner was not dealt with by the Brentwood keeper, in part due to the height and physical presence of Scammell and Whitworth, leading to a goalmouth scramble before Tom James reacted quickest by turning smartly in the box to unleash a powerful finish from close range. The goal was well deserved on the balance of play and the OMs, reinvigorated by the goal and sensing the increasing fatigue of Brentwood, continued to dictate attacking play in search
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