The Shiplake staff football team continued their fine form
with a tense victory over the Oratory School.
An enthusiastic home crowd of over 100 pupils and staff
ignored the overcast conditions to roar on the Shiplake teachers. The Oratory
had the better chances in a cagey opening 10 minutes, but Philosophy teacher Mr
Brownley stood firm in the Shiplake goal.
Shiplake soon grew into the game and their dynamic passing
game came to the fore. Sharp interplay from Mr Walter and Mr Duncan in midfield
fed the dangerous Mr Gaunt on the left wing, who proved too hot for the right
back to handle and was cynically brought to ground. Mr Davies, Shiplake
Headmaster and referee for the afternoon, had no choice but to award the free
kick, despite commenting that his Director of Sport should perhaps consider teaching
drama.
The foul proved extremely costly, as marketing man Mr
McSweeny curled a beautiful free kick into the top right corner to give his
side the lead. Confidence spread like wildfire throughout the team, and it was
not long until the maroons threatened again. Mr Walter beat the offside trap
down the right channel and fired a fierce shot across goal which the Oratory
goalkeeper could only parry into the path of striker Mr Miller, who made no
mistake from close range.
Outstanding performances from centre back pairing Mr Duncan
and man of the match Mr Sharkey kept the Oratory strikeforce quiet, while at
the other end former Oratory teacher Mr Moffatt had a rasping shot saved and Mr
Miller saw a header drift agonisingly wide of the post.
In the final minute of the first half, the game turned on
its head in astonishing fashion. The Oratory pulled a goal back out of nothing
after the Shiplake keeper, deceived by the slippery surface, failed to hold a
left-wing cross and presented the opposing number 9 with a simple tap in. From the
resulting kick off, the ball was played back to substitute Mr Rowlinson who
inexplicably attempted a Cruyff turn and lost possession, again leaving the
Oratory with a simple finish. From being in complete control, two lapses of
concentration left the game in the balance at the break.
Shiplake regrouped and made some more tactical substitutions.
Head of Geography Mr Johnston donned the gloves with Mr Brownley getting a run
out up front, while Head of History Mr Morgan came on to shore up the defence.
The second half was a much tighter affair, with chances at a premium at both
ends. In perfect slide-tackle conditions on a moist playing surface, the match
had evolved into a battle of will rather than a battle of skill.
That said, Shiplake continued to probe down the right hand
side and built a sustained period of pressure. After a neat stepover, Assistant
Director of Studies Mr J Davies dinked a beautiful cross to the back post,
which somehow evaded the onrushing heads, while a rising drive from Mr Duncan flew
narrowly over the crossbar. The home side’s attacking intent was finally
rewarded from another set piece. A delicious delivery from Mr McSweeny picked
out Mr Brownley who powered a header home from 8 yards out.
History was not going to repeat itself as Shiplake defended
resolutely and saw out the remaining 15 minutes to secure a hard-fought 3-2 victory.
Shiplake XI: Brownley, Johnston (Morgan), Sharkey, Duncan,
Milburn (Rowlinson), J Davies (Ebbage), McSweeny, Walter, Gaunt (Cottrell),
Miller, Moffatt