Allen Hall’s football team ventured up to St Mary’s Oscott for their annual football clash. Driving up from London, the seminarians set foot on Oscott soil at noon and after a brief welcome, the seminarians joined Oscott’s community for Holy Mass. Archbishop Bernard Longley offered Mass as Oscott hosted a group of discerners for the weekend. Following Mass, the communities enjoyed lunch together before donning their kits and taking to the pitch.
With the light rain blessing both teams, the Allen Hall – Oscott match commenced. From the kick-off, Oscott made use of space around the back, working the ball around the outside as The Martyrs tightened their defence to close down the passing lanes. The scoring opened early on when Oscott’s right winger drove past his man and beat the keeper at his near post. Allen Hall, still finding their legs, responded with attacks down the sides only to be let down as the drawbacks into the box landed into empty space. Picking up The Martyrs’ lost chances, Oscott launched furious counters with AH backtracking to defend. The stalemate was broken when Oscott converted a corner and then added a third with a long range effort. Etheredge was brought on as The Martyrs desperately sought to shake off the blues. AH pulled one back when Dido’s left footed attempt found the top corner bringing the First Half to an Oscott 3 – Allen Hall 1 end.
The Second Half saw The Martyrs let out their frustration with long shots missing their mark as Oscott maintained a disciplined passing. Oscott would soon add another as the ball was whipped into the box from the right to meet its mark. The Martyrs drew one back when a moment of genius from Etheredge saw him dribble past, cut in, and fire into the bottom corner. Unfazed, Oscott made their way forward with GK Dugan snuffing out AH’s attempts and adding two more goals, Oscott pushed their margins to 6 goals. The last goal went to The Martyrs when Makir (C) dribbled into the centre of the park using Alvares as a decoy and fired just beyond the Oscott Keeper’s grasp. Oscott 6 – 3 Allen Hall FT.
Allen Hall Squad: Sadowski (POL), Pimblett (UK), Alvarez (ESP), Estrada (USA), Kitonekyamwoyo/’Josemaria’ (UK), Ahmed (UK), Mesa (COL), Dieudonne/’Dido’ (CGO), Alvares (UK). Subs: Ezeani (NGA), Etheredge (UK).
Goals: Dido 1, Etheredge 1, Ahmed 1
! Special Thanks to the Oscott Community for their golden hospitality – We hope to show the same charity in the second leg !
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