League Fixture – Saturday 18 April 2026, East Molesey
Following a narrow and disappointing extra‑time defeat in the Amateur FA Junior Cup Final the previous weekend, Old Tiffinians 1st XI returned to league action at home against league leaders Shene Old Grammarians, determined to respond in the right manner.
There was no smart‑casual dress code this week, nor a pre‑match meeting under the clock, but conditions could not have been more fitting for the beautiful game, with bright sunshine greeting both sides at East Molesey. In the build up to the fixture, confirmation was received that club captain Will Forsyth will be stepping down from the role at the conclusion of the season. Having been named Man of the Match in the cup final, Forsyth opted to rest this weekend, instead bringing the next generation along to spectate and meet the squad.
Old Tiffs were also without vice‑captain James Kimber and leading goalscorer JJ11, along with several other regulars. Punctuality, however, was a mixed bag. King of the North and Blowy arrived casually—if fashionably—30 minutes late on the same train, while Michael Birse surpassed even his own standards by arriving over an hour after the scheduled meet time. A warm‑up led enthusiastically by Michael Burns‑Peake lifted spirits, with high knees and heel flicks well represented.
Pre‑match discussion focused on the challenge ahead. Shene Old Grammarians had narrowly edged the reverse fixture earlier in the season, and required just one point from their final two matches to secure promotion. Old Tiffs, buoyed by strong form since Christmas, were keen to spoil the party and continue their push towards a top‑half finish.
Kick‑off was slightly delayed due to the young referee being held up in traffic, and the home side were required to absorb early pressure. Shene dominated possession in the opening stages, but Old Tiffs maintained a compact defensive shape, battling well across the pitch. Chances were scarce, though controversy arose when a Shene forward went down under pressure from Burns‑Peake, only for the referee to rightly wave away penalty appeals.
A long through ball then saw Jack D chase down the Shene goalkeeper, who cleared his lines just in time. Jack’s momentum carried him through however, leaving the keeper injured in a heap, forcing an outfield player to deputise between the sticks. Shene continued to threaten, including an audacious scorpion‑kick attempt which flew narrowly wide, but Old Tiffs remained composed and disciplined throughout.
The breakthrough came when Ben Harrison produced what he would later describe as “one of the best through balls of my career”, splitting the Shene defence and releasing young Ralph, who finished calmly past the replacement goalkeeper to give Old Tiffs a deserved lead.
Half‑Time: Old Tiffinians 1 – 0 Shene Old Grammarians
Although Shannon wore the armband, Burns‑Peake led the half‑time discussion, providing tactical insight and words of wisdom for the second period. In a surprising yet decisive move, he substituted Jordan and introduced Birse.
The second‑half instructions were clear: keep the ball moving with short, incisive passes and trust that chances would follow. A free kick deep in Shene territory caused problems when the makeshift goalkeeper spilled the ball under pressure, and Jabs reacted quickest to nod home from close range.
Celebrations were muted somewhat when Jamie, in congratulating Jabs, loudly described the goal as “f**ing sh**,” a comment met with bemusement given it came from a centre‑back merely doing his job.
Joe Sammarco was later introduced to test his much‑discussed “glass ankle,” reportedly injured while “getting on the tube.” Any doubts were quickly dispelled, however, as he sprang into action down the left wing when space appeared.
A final set piece sealed the result. From around 30 yards out, Jabs backed himself from distance, forcing another save from the goalkeeper before Jordan—back on the pitch—headed home the rebound to claim his fifth goal of the season.
The final whistle confirmed a comprehensive 3–0 victory for Old Tiffinians. Any lingering disappointment from the cup final was firmly put to rest with an impressive team performance at the Fortress.
Old Tiffs now enjoy a week’s break before their final league fixture away to Economicals II, who edged the reverse meeting 2–1 back in October. Momentum is building, and the squad will be keen to finish the season on a high.