New year. Same old Charles Gifford. Playing for the first time in over a month after a mysterious knee injury sidelined him for the latter part of 2012, the man nicknamed ‘Bestie’ scored his 18th and 19th goals of an impressive season to give the Old Malvernians a narrow but deserved 2-1 victory over the school First XI.
The OM’s made the long journey north with a threadbare squad, as disappointing availability for a game that had been in the calendar for months meant some old faces had to be wheeled out of retirement. Steven Campbell-Ferguson, Mark Hardinges and Justin Major may be well past the wrong side of 30 these days, but the trio performed admirably in a back four that mostly kept the youngsters at bay.
The OM’s started the game well, as Alex Richardson and William Murtagh asserted their authority on the game in central midfield, and the latter should have given them the lead when he was presented with a free header from Peter Ford’s free-kick. Despite a good connection, the chance went begging as he headed over, but the signs were positive for the away side. Charlie Gifford had already had a couple of dangerous runs down the left flank, and it was another of these that gave the OM’s the lead on the half hour. The school gave the ball away carelessly in midfield, and Richardson punished them with a perfect slide rule pass inside the left hand channel which released Gifford. He made no mistake, drilling the ball low into the far corner.
In truth, the school were unlucky not to be level at half time, as their second choice goalkeeper made a case for selection in the first team by making a couple of outstanding saves standing in for the goalkeeper-less OM’s.
Half-time brought a tactical switch as Dominic Stanley, who started the game in a midfield three, appeared to be tiring, so moved up front as Ford dropped back into midfield alongside Richardson and Murtagh. The school, perhaps sensing that the opposition’s older legs would tire, began the second half brightly, but Major and Campbell-Ferguson helped Josh Hughes, in his first game as captain, and James Sheppard repel their attacks. Unfortunately the OM’s were further compromised by injuries to Wade ‘The Elk’ Byrnes, Hardinges, and Sheppard meaning another of the school’s squad players was called upon for his ‘OM’ debut.
The home team were gifted an equaliser when Murtagh, with little danger around him, inexplicably played in their striker with a sloppy back pass. The gift was accepted with a cool finish, and poor Murtagh could only hold his head in his hands, his mistake exacerbated by the fact it happened just a few yards away from his parents! Despite the setback, the OM’s responded well, with Murtagh, Richardson and Ford linking well in midfield and the Gifford brothers and Stanley providing dangerous outlets in attack.
As darkness set in and the game became increasingly stretched, Richardson carried the ball forward and delayed his pass expertly to find Stanley inside the penalty area. He, in turn, did well to keep his head up and pick out Gifford Junior, who swivelled to score with a fierce left foot shot. The OM’s did well to hang on towards the end, and a tricky away game was negotiated well to ensure a winning start to 2013. Thanks must go to all those who made the trip, and to Syd Hill and Paul Godsland and all those at the school for helping with putting the game on and a tasty tea.
