Polytechnic VIs 4 – 2 Old Tiffinians IIIs

After a long and thoroughly refreshing break for Christmas and New Year Old Tiffinians were looking to start 2026 with a big win.  With a bit of weather about, a lot of pessimistic people were expecting a postponement, but the ground was actually in great condition and the game went ahead.

It was a time for Tiffs to answer a lot of questions; do they remember how to play football after a month off, can they finally get a win this season, and who is Quintin Hogg, why is the ground named after him and is he any relation to Dan?

The pre-match chat was dominated by interesting facts.  Things like – Quintin Hogg played in the 1876 FA cup final and made two appearances for Scotland, and as far as we know he isn’t related to Dan Hogg [Editor’s note: Quintin’s father, Sir James Weir Hogg, 1st Baronet, is the editor’s great-great-great grandfather. Football always ran in the family].  With these riveting and inspiring facts ringing in their ears, Tiffs went on to the field safe in the knowledge that even if they lost they had learned something today.

The game itself was less memorable.  As has been the problem for much of the season, Tiffs struggled to control the game in midfield.  Bringing in the luxurious Matt Burns-Peake wasn’t enough to stamp some authority on the game and Polytechnic started off the better team. Polytechnic had a few chances before finally taking the lead from a long range freekick.  It was beautifully mishit and drifted over everyone into the top corner of the goal.  However, Tiffs were determined to be made of sterner stuff in 2026 and soon found an equaliser when Oli Lofthouse pounded on a loose ball and struck an early finish past the stranded Polytechnic keeper.  Sadly, Polytechnic continued to make chances and were able to take one of them to lead 2-1 at the break.

The half time team talk focused mostly on skipper Conrad Bell’s blistered feet, and the Tiffs went out in the 2nd half confident they could get back in the game.  Tiffs continued to battle bravely, but midway through the second half two defensive errors allowed Polytechnic to stretch into a 4-1 lead.  A late consolation goal headed in by Reece Evans from a corner gave Tiffs brief hope, but with only a few minutes to play there wasn’t time for a stirring comeback.

Not the start to 2026 that we all wanted.

POTM: Alex Belemet