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The Old Elizabethan AssociationThe website for former pupils of Elizabeth College, Guernsey |
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OE Football 2007 Match ReportOld Elizabethans vs Elizabeth College 1st XI, Saturday 3rd November 2007 Perfect playing conditions greeted a near-perfect O.E.s squad as they arrived at the College Field for the annual 'friendly' against the first XI. The still air, flat pitch and lush, dew-moistened grass provided the ideal stage for stars of yesteryear to show they've still got it. And how they did. After 5 minutes we saw a glimpse of what was to come when midfield general, Liam Roffey fired just wide. The O.E.s were looking increasingly dangerous and soon the breakthrough came when goal poacher extraordinaire, Ryan Tippett met a Dale Garland cross to finish from close range. The College then came back into the game and on 20 minutes drew level when Dave Henry outjumped the aging O.E. defence to plant a fine header past 'keeper Richard Bellis. The match was now finely balanced with both teams looking dangerous and you felt that the next goal could prove crucial. But the O.E. back line of Martin Rabey, Barney Molloy, Jon Bond and James Ovenden stood firm. This allowed the midfield, including lively O.E. debutants Jack Byrne and Ollie Richards, to create chances for their fearsome strikeforce and it was the deadly duo of Garland and Tippett who combined again for the O.E.s' second goal, one-two-ing their way through the College defence before Tippett shot into the roof of the net. Tippett then sent Garland through with just the keeper to beat but the speedy striker put his shot just wide. College then went close to grabbing an equaliser but it was goal-hungry Tippett who would score next, completing a first-half hat-trick, after again being played in by Garland. Then, just before the break, Garland claimed his fourth assist as he found Liam Roffey in space on the right, Roffey making no mistake from 10 yards out. The College made a bright start to the second half, with Adam Robin firing just wide. But soon the O.E.s were applying the pressure again, peppering the College goal. Long range efforts from Mark Elliott and Dale Garland flew just over the bar before Elliott's right-wing cross was headed back across goal by Garland, for Liam Roffey to head in number 5. With Tippett taking a breather, TJ Ozanne was leading the O.E.s' attack. Despite wearing hockey boots he was still able to make a nuisance of himself and on 55 minutes he was sent through with just the keeper to beat. His shot was fierce but flew spectacularly wide of the target. The O.E.s' defence, now benefitting from Karl Guille's experience at centre-back, continued to stand firm, and the midfield was given fresh impetus with the introduction of livewire Damian Wallen. He showed his ruthless intent when, just after Mark Oliphant's right-wing cross had found its way in for goal number six, he called out a rallying cry to the O.E.s, 'C'mon boys, more nails in the coffin!', just in case anyone was thinking of taking their foot off the pedal and cruising the last ten minutes. Ryan Tippett certainly wasn't, and fresh from his rest, he finished off a Wallen cross from close range for goal number seven, and then a freak rebound off the keeper gave him his fifth and the O.E.s' eighth of the day after good work on the wing from Oliphant. The College seemed rather relieved when Mr Garnett blew the final whistle, and the O.E.s were all satisfied with an 8-1 scoreline after a good morning's work. Apart perhaps from Dale Garland, who despite creating five goals didn't manage to score one himself. Ever the competitor, he was heard to comment in the changing-room afterwards, 'Mark Oliphant scored more goals than me and he didn't have any shots!' The O.E.s' morning finished with a cup of tea upstairs in the old pavilion, reminiscing and reliving former glories, the memories flooding back at the sight of the team photos from many years ago up on the wall. Lee Garland Match stats: O.E. All-Star Legends Extreme XI 8 - 1 Elizabeth College Scorers: Tippett 5, Roffey 2, Oliphant 1 O.E.'s line-up: GK - Richard Bellis Subs: James Ovenden, Jon Bond, Mark Elliott, Damian Wallen Submitted by Webmaster on Mon, 2007-11-12 12:31.
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