Old Radleians - Junior League Cup Round 2 (H)

 

 

 

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​​​​​​On an at times thoroughly miserable day down at Tolworth the LOBs took on the all conquering league leaders Radley in the Junior League Cup second round. With no officials available to run the match Disco, with a slight injury knock gallantly stepped up to the plate.

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The Radleians league position didn't lie and they played much more fluently on a what has now become quite a tricky surface, and to be honest their close ball control was considerably better than ours. That said it was the LOBs who were to strike first, a glorious Johnny S corner fooling everyone and going straight in with breeze, the panel had to sit after the game as Hector claimed he got a hair follicle on it, but they weren't to be had. 1-0 at half-time maybe flattered the LOBs but we'll take it.

 

The wind was proving to have quite an influence on the game, almost providing what would have been own goal of the season as a sliced clearance some 25 metres out bounced over Brad's head, and fortunately the crossbar as well. With the weather deteriorating and the LOBs defending with all their might, the inevitable happened without about ten minutes to go, and the ORs sensed blood.

 

But the LOBs held on, but what were the rules following a draw? We wanted pens as we were flagging a bit and a couple of the squad had already left or been broken, they were insistent on extra-time, and who would blame them. Out came the mobile phones and it would appear they were right unfortunately, extra-time it was.

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Having provided the referee for the full 90 minutes the chairman proposed that they lose a player and ref the extra-time which they agreed to do. With that Disco made a miraculous recovery and took to the field. And just as well, as his sublime pass up the right put Baino in, and Baino doesn't miss!

 

The ORs, having ignored the 'spirit' of them reffing, subbed their skipper, thus not losing a player at all, and he then added almost nine minutes of 'Fergie time' for a 15 minute half, but all to no avail, the Radleians were beaten for the first time this season and the LOBs marched on.

 

Macca (as Brad didn't have time, so got no plaudits for his goalkeeping)​​​​​