‘Winning ugly’ is an overused phrase in footballing parlance, but it can be aptly used to describe how the Old Malvernian 1st XI returned from their visit to Haileybury with all three points. An 11am kick off in Hertfordshire meant an early start for the majority of the squad who are based in South West London, but everyone did well to arrive in plenty of time, and there was much surprise as even Ayo ‘Lord Lucan’ Afolabi, who had the responsibility of the kit, turned up with still some 40 minutes to spare before kickoff.
A cold morning on a wet and boggy pitch meant the OM’s preferred free flowing style of football was difficult to produce. Although Haileybury sat bottom of the Arthurian League Division One prior to kick off, a narrow 3-2 win in the Dunn Cup earlier in the season meant Malvern could not be overly confident. The away side featured a number of changes too, as poor availability meant Dinks leader, George Vaughan, was pressed into action in goal, and Tom James slightly out of position at right back. Tom Chappell also came into the side wide right, as Will Gifford moved into central midfield to replace the ill Will Murtagh, and Afolabi was preferred to Peter Ford in attack.
A combination of an unfamiliar side and the sticky pitch conditions saw the home team start the stronger, and they deservedly took the lead after 20 minutes as their centre midfielder, ‘Nando’, was allowed far too much time on the edge of the box to side foot a shot into the far corner. The OMs responded brightly to the setback, and Charlie Gifford had already threatened on a couple of occasions before he latched onto Alex Richardson’s through ball and finished superbly from an acute angle.
Having worked hard to get back on level terms, Malvern conceded a second sloppy goal shortly afterwards, as a corner was somehow allowed to float directly into the net from the left hand side. The away side should however have been at least level at half time, as although Afolabi had arrived on time and with the kit, unfortunately he had left his shooting boots at home as a couple of golden chances came and went.
Beginning the second half 2-1 down in a game they really needed to win, the Old Malvernians set about their task with added vim and vigour. Switching tactics to 4-4-2 and bringing on Ford as a half time substitute helped, but the whole squad showed plenty of character to retrieve a game from a losing position. As Malvern dominated, Haileybury began to tire, and the away side equalised with 20 minutes to go when Richardson fed Gifford once more. Although his first effort was well saved by the keeper, the young forward showed admirable courage to head home the rebound.
With ten minutes to go Malvern were given the chance to take the lead for the first time when Gifford was fouled inside the area after a neat turn foxed the defender. Ford made no mistake from the spot, and despite a couple of late scares and some fairly spicy tackling from both sides, the Old Malvernians hung on to claim what could be a vital victory in the tight race for promotion. With plenty of games to go before the end of the season due to the weather postponements, the OMs will hope to build on this result as they chase an historic double promotion season for their two sides.
