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Live Reporting from the BCC

All times stated are UK

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13.35 Welcome

Welcome to Grists for perfect football conditions if you like your football wet, cold and slightly miserable.

The OTs are hoping to continue their prized status as the choice team of everyone who does the AFC 6 South Division pools.

After a frustrating 1-1 draw vs. London Welsh, they are hoping to return to their higher score drawing ways.

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13.45 Confidence Booster

The OTs look buoyed as Mortimer & Nichols find a way to build confidence amongst the squad. Clever man management there.

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14.00 Kick Off

And we’re underway, with the OTs starting to press as Clapham try to knock the ball around. Neither side are able to create chances, with Clapham having most possession but not looking threatening.

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14.08 Corner

The OTs have forced a corner. Clapham try to clear and it’s fed back into the box….

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14.10 PENALTY

The referee bravely points to the spot when he sees a shot blocked by a Clapham arm. It looks more like ball to hand from here. The Clapham players bravely surround the referee. ‘Reeeeeeeeeeeeef’ they shout, as though they were at a gig for an ageing English indie band.

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14.12 Penalty Missed

Kimber bravely steps up to take the penalty. Clapham bravely heckle and try to put him off. Kimber bravely decides that it probably wasn’t a penalty and lets the keeper make a good save. Heart back slaps all round, and Clapham thank him profusely.

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Robbie, Liverpool: It’s great to see this kind of sportsmanship on show.

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14.22 Corner

Clapham create a half chance and win a corner, the corner is cleared by Nichols. The referee awards a goal kick but Nichols assures him that a corner would be a better decision.

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Jeremy, North London: We really are seeing a kinder type of football here..

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14.24 GOAL Old Tiffinians II XI 0 – 1 Clapham Old Xaverians IV

From the honestly awarded corner, the ball is swung to the far post where the Clapham striker attacks the ball and climbs above Mortimer to head into the roof of the net.

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14.32 Chance

Kimber plays a long ball forward, Hickman shows some quick feet on the left and Edwards causes panic in the Clapham defence. With the keeper stranded Nichols can’t find space for a clean strike at goal.

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14.45 HALF TIME Old Tiffinians II XI 0 – 1 Clapham Old Xaverians IV

It is a fairly even first half, with Clapham playing the ball around well, particularly from defence but failing to create many clear cut chances. The OT defence of Hobbs, Rossi, Bostelmann, Dickenson, and Mitchell have easily dealt with everything Clapham have thrown at them. Sammarco and Edwards have caused Clapham some problems, but the OT midfield have struggled to deal with Clapham’s neat passing.

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15.01 Kick Off

And we’re off again, Bostelmann has given the hairdryer (borrowed) treatment and made some changes. OTs have come out with more energy and purpose and are starting to look more threatening, with Avery and Edwards seeing far more of the ball.

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15.14 Chance 

Good work on the left from Mitchell sends the ball into the area, but unfortunately Edwards is unsighted and can’t quite finish. Good build up play as the OTs start to come into the game more.

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15.21 Chance

A long ball forward leads to a goalmouth scramble and a shot from Edwards is cleared off the line by a defender. Some strong appealing from Clapham wins them the goal kick.

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15.29 GOAL Old Tiffinians II XI 0 – 2 Clapham Old Xaverians IV

A hopeful ball forward eludes the OT defence and the Clapham forward slots it into the back of the net. Nothing Hobbs could do.

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15.36 Booking

Finally the ref, sorry reeeeeef, books a Clapham midfielder for terrible chat. Not for the rugby tackle. It was bad and continual chat.

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15.41 Mistaken Identity

Clapham players want Mitchell booked for ‘another’ particularly tasty tackle. They then realise that half of the OT backline looks confusingly similar. Not since the Expendables have we seen so much talent in one place.

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15.42 Doing the Seal

Not content with avoiding a booking, Mitchell teases Clapham with a bit of solo head tennis. Unfortunately Peake sees the opportunity for a 50:50 and wins the ball from Mitchell.

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Keith, Northern Ireland: I like this Peake player. He loves a 50:50 more than me. In fact he even loves a 20:80.

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15.45 Head-fake-gate

The referee thinks Mitchell and Peake are faking it…..Bostelmann is outraged. ‘Health and safety are my priority’ he tells the referee. The referee hasn’t heard that before.

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15.48 FULL TIME Old Tiffinians II XI 0 – 2 Clapham Old Xaverians IV

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The OTs played well – particularly the defence, but couldn’t quite get the goal that would have put pressure on Clapham. Clapham played nice football at times, but didn’t create much in front of goal. A shame for the fans, and even more so for the punters who saw this as a definite score draw. Onwards and upwards and hopefully back to drawing ways. MOTM – Rossi