A blustery and chilly Victoria Park Road welcomed the OEs back for the annual fixture against the 1st XI.
Greeted at the gates by the Gaffer, GELA, fresh after picking up the spring league Isca Trophy. He soon knew that is victorious team were in for a tough afternoon, with an experienced 16 man strong squad assembled to do battle for the bragging rights.
The opening stages saw the tussle for possession and control of the game bounce around between the sides, similar to the first touch of some rusty old boys.
However, it was the OEs who began to take control of the game, playing with a strong wind at their back, Luke Stitson opened the scoring with a 30 yard free kick, filled with venom that swerved on said wind and was too much for the keeper to handle.
Rob Stoyle then doubled the advantage just before the half time whistle with a bullet header following a whipped, in swinging corner from Stitson.
The second half saw a share of the ball but with a few chances at each end. Although, Graeme Martin put the result out of any doubt with 25 minutes to spare, pouncing on a tackle from Freddie Crowley, coolly lobbing the keeper from 25 yards.
Before then getting his brace with a cushioned header into the near corner after a precise cross to the back stick from Alex Helliar on the right, 0-4.
The School pulled one back in injury time, capitalising on a goalkeeper clearance where Charlie Pullen, who had replaced the reliable Will Furniss for the last 10, was trying to navigate a back pass on the bouncy, firm surface. Seeing the ball calmly finished over his head from 35 yards to just take the edge off the perfect performance.
Nevertheless, another great afternoon and looking forward to next years encounter already.
Squad below:
Josh Barlow
Viv Carton
Freddie Crowley
Sam Elstub
Will Furniss
Max Haddican
Alex Helliar
Edward Lister
Graeme Martin
Dom Neagle
Charlie Pullen
Joel Seaward
Luke Stitson
Rob Stoyle
Harrison Thorne
Noah Waugh
