Old Guildfordians IIIs 3 – 0 OTFC IIIs

Guildford doesn’t seem that far away from East Molesey, but when it comes to convincing people to go and play there, it may as well be Mars.  On a wet and blustery Saturday afternoon only the brave, committed or stupid assembled in a far away car park with dreams of 3 points.

For the superstitious amongst you, starting the afternoon by spending 10 minutes walking round and round the club house looking for a door that was unlocked may have been an obvious bad omen for the coming game.

And for once, the superstitious would be bang on.

Tiffs were tired out by a rambling pre-match team talk and didn’t settle into the game very well at all.  A bobbly pitch made every first touch treacherous and the high winds made every hoofed clearance a swirling nightmare for those foolish enough to try and get under them.  With the elements and pitch against them, Tiffs found themselves early in the game.  A long ball over the top saw a suspiciously offside looking striker race through on goal and give Old Guildfordians the lead.  The rest of the half saw a game of few highlights, with a few nice touches here and there, but neither side was able to take control.  Ellis made a fine save to stop Guildford pulling away and Reece saw a sweetly struck shot pushed round the post (hit it too well, etc., etc.).

Half time saw a change in referee (and we don’t comment on the performance of referees here) but not much change in the quality of football.  A defensive error from Tiffs gifted another goal to Guildford for them to go 2-0 up early in the 2nd half and the good guys never really looked like getting back into the game.  A large portion of the second half consisted of hotly contested throw-ins, massively over hit wind assisted shots and through balls at one end and everything holding up in the wind at the other.  Football was not the winner.

Tiffs were able to muster few chances, and a lucky 3rd goal put the game to bed for Guildford.  A late flourish from Tiffs saw them actually get the ball in and around the opposition box and were unlucky not to get at least a consolation goal when Mike hit the post with a sharp shot on the turn.  Full time.

To round off an awful day, the bar was closed.

POTM: Jack Taylor