We spent a few moments remembering dear Trevor Jones before the off – and I think he would have enjoyed the game that ensued. After a slight wobble in the first ten minutes when (a frankly overkeen) OG’s team pressed hard and high this was a win which never looked in doubt, partly down to a tremendous performance by O50 Cup debutant Gary Stoneley, who pulled off several awesome saves to snuff out any hope that OG’s might have had.

Tim Armitage found the net in the 7th minute and again 12 minutes later. Brad pulled up lame but we were aided by the arrival of another O50 debutant, Kali Takhir, whom some of you will remember from our 1990’s Premier League opponents, Cannock. OG’s remained competitive and fought hard, but a third goal by Coops three minutes later meant we went to half time a comfortable 3-0 up. You may have detected the remarkable contrast in the detail and clarity of my recall of today’s match compared to yesterday’s. I can only say that when you have Messrs Barton and Wilcock as team officials noting down every move on an EH mandated results sheet, these things are considerably easier!

The second half continued much as the first and although OGs never gave up, in truth they were outclassed AND THEY KNEW IT. (Capitals added in honour of our O60s). Coops added #4 within 5 minutes, with the evergreen Immy #5 and Andre (our guest from Barnes) rounding out the goals in the 64th minute. All goals were open play (Hugh’s detailed result sheet informs me the correct term is ‘Field Goals’).

So 6-0, perhaps very slightly flattering as Gary saved our blushes a couple of times. But make no mistake, this was a spanking, and a spanking of a team that would probably get a result against most of the O50’s opposition we have played in recent years. The atmosphere in the bar afterwards was warm and jovial.

To Micky and Rage et al, sorry we didn’t press ahead and go for a further 7. 6 seemed sufficient. Huge thanks to Mike and Phil for umpiring at short notice and doing a great job, Hugh and Nick for managing and running the bench – and to all the squad for a fabulous result. Again several candidates for MoM. Disco Briscoe rocked it at right half but perhaps unusually in such a convincing victory, Gary in goal gets the nod this time. Although we had this game in the bag, had we shipped a couple of goals early on we might have been playing against a packed defence rather than a team which was pushing forwards. In the words of Mike Gray, there was 20 minutes in that game when you (the team), were untouchable.

If revenge is a dish best served cold, this was an ice cream sundae! Well done all!!