Page 60 - Old Malvernian Newsletter - Issue 43 - 2020

OM SPORT
of killing off the game. To Brentwood’s credit they remained a threat through long balls up to the lone striker ensuring that the OM defence remained vigilant. In the dying moments of the game there were five consecutive Brentwood corners, that were superbly delivered, which the OMs had to defend valiantly through a series of excellent defensive headers from Whitworth, Robbins and Scammell alongside the keeping ability of Madden. Ahead of the the fifth consecutive corner a shout went up from an OM of “See this out and the game’s ours”. The ball was subsequently cleared and there was a sense of relief around the OMs that they had safely navigated their way through the toughest period of Brentwood play.
The full-time whistle soon came and so to extra time the OMs went. It was still 1-1 after the first period despite the OMs creating countless opportunities with Simon Varney and James Richardson both causing havoc in the opposition box with some intelligent link up play and were it not for a smart save from the Brentwood keeper and a better final pass then Varney would have found himself on the scoresheet at least once but alas it was not to be. As the second period started, penalties loomed (debate in the changing room after the game centred primarily as to who would have actually taken them!) but then the OMs managed to unlock Brentwood with the move of the game. It started with Joe Murtagh winning a superb header in midfield, out- jumping and out-committing his opponent. The ball fell to Alex Richardson who made a
quick pass to Paul Hardinges who unleashed Tom James down the wing. Tom James skilfully dribbled the ball past the right back which meant the Brentwood centre-back was drawn out from protecting the goalmouth. The dry pitch was at this point causing the ball to rise up and as Tom James knocked it past the centre back the ball did just that but Tom knocked in a terrific high cross from the by-line which Alex Richardson, after a lung-bursting run from midfield, managed to head home before turning to celebrate with the ecstatic OM supporters on the touchline including notable OMFC legends Alistair Denham, William Hoyle, Giles King and Ian Ryder-Smith. Jubilation abounded for all OMs as they knew that the sucker punch had been delivered and the game was effectively won. It was a great moment.
The Old Malvernians comfortably held out to the final whistle to secure the cup for the second consecutive season and continue the OMFC vets dynasty that Paul Hardinges had challenged the team to create after the previous year’s final. That’s the true test of a great team to continue winning year after year. This season’s cup run has been a much harder campaign than previous seasons with the level of teams played notably improving, not least Chigwell in the semi-final who were unbeaten in 20 games during the season, but the OMs continue to rise to each challenge they face.
The Vets’ squad has done fantastically well and players have made huge efforts (flying in for games, long car journeys from Cornwall
and Bristol on match days) to play, so thank you to all involved. Hugh Whitworth deserves a special mention for a particularly fine season at centre-back and also a thank you must go to vice-captain Paul Hardinges who has travelled to all the games from Bristol and as ever has been key to our success. But once again, it has really been a squad effort so well done to all involved. As I wrote to the squad in the week leading up to the final, “At our core we are a team of lifelong friends that enjoy playing football together and that’s something to cherish and enjoy. Winning will be enjoyable too, so let’s do that together also”.
Dan Madden
60 | Old Malvernian Newsletter