Old Albanians - League (A)

 

Saturday 11th October saw the LOBs with a dream scenario - a trip up to St Albans for the early 10am kick off. Just wonderful. Luke Davies and Oskar Berelowitz thought they would be one of the last to arrive as they pulled into Old Albanians at 9.35am. They were the first. By 10am, a strong 6 players had arrived in total as St Albans was dealing with a medical emergency at the train station. Frankie ‘Mr Organised’ skipper himself arrived at 10.15 with kit (having got on the wrong train) and the rest of the squad. But it was okay - Frankie let the opposition know we were running late by emailing the ref at 10.05. Kick off was eventually at 10.30, with a good warm up of getting changed. What was most remarkable was Brad Harman arriving having been at Brighton Pryzm just 6 hours before kick off. 

 

The LOBs started surprisingly well, dealing with a strong Old Albanians team neatly. Will Honeychurch and Frankie Tudball did brilliantly at breaking up play in midfield and Oskar Berelowitz was showing BHAFC what they missing out on with some great creativity in the middle of the park. Any attacks from Old Albanians were neatly thwarted by Ryan Wood and Will C. Will Bainbridge was also on the pitch. But overall, Old Albanians had more territory and were looking dangerous although the LOBs certainly didn’t lack commitment - Frankie may have also been a touch (very) late with a strong (pretty disgusting) tackle that resulted in a yellow card. 

 

And then, a George Hockley masterclass. A long ball over the top was picked up in the Old Albanians box by George, where he beat one defender, and then a second defender, before slotting it beyond the keeper. 1-0 to the LOBs. Could this be the end of the losing streak? Nick was doing the Poznan on the sideline in excitement. 

 

The lead didn’t last for long. Old Albanians made territory count and attacked down the wing, slotted it into the middle for the centre forward who finished simply. 10 minutes later, Old Albanians were 2-1 up after a strike from the edge of the box. Some strange beef from their 6’6” rugby-built striker meant an odd off-the-ball incident with Will C which resulted in Will getting bodied to the floor, and Old Albanians were rattled for the rest of the half. 

 

Half time, 2-1 down. 

 

LOBs started brightly in the 2nd half but Old Albanians continued to pile on the pressure. Some smart saves and strong distribution from Brad in goal kept the LOBs in it, but Old Albanians pressure continued and they scored two in quick succession. Will Bainbridge was playing with 1.5 boots and continued to compliment their number 16 who was the “best player on the pitch by a mile”. Great trash talking. 

 

LOBs put on some more pressure as the game went on, but Old Albanians held on for a 4-1 win. The saving grace was beers being consumed by 12.20 because of the early kick-off, so there have been worse Saturdays. 

 

Baino took a very well deserved mug award for a wide variety of reasons (broken boots, flirting non-stop with their number 16, leaving his boots to mark his presence in the changing room after the game, asking Brad to switch boots during the game, asking Luke to ask Old Albanians for tape at half time etc.), which is a remarkable achievement considering our late-arriving and yellow-carded skipper. Honourable mention as well to our party-going Brad who then fell asleep on his train and ended back in Brighton. Rumours have it that was on purpose for back-to-back Pryzms. 

 

Man: Luke Davies

Mug: Will Bainbridge

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Luke D