Following the success of the Old Vikings Touch Rugby Tournament held in the Summer, Mr Ebun-Cole organised a Staff v Old Vikings Football match. Below is the report provided by Mr Ebun-Cole:
Whilst watching a 1st XV rugby match last term, Brad Wilkins and I conceived the idea of a football match between Shiplake Staff and The Old Vikings.
Last Saturday, the planned match came to fruition and we were blessed with near perfect football conditions. We welcomed back Old Vikings from the classes of 2017 & 2018: Brad Wilkins (18B), Darius Braun (18B), Ben Westbrook-Burr (18O), Marcus Hillman (18O), Sam Neill (17S), James Grundy (18O), Chris Miller (17S), Eliot Whittingham (17S), Miles Bridgman (17S), Ben Monson (18S), Ben Tresidder (17S), Will Bailey (18S) and Harry Rees (17S). The staff team was made up of teachers Mr Cooper, Mr Ebbage, Mr Millburn, Mr Batchelor, Mr Duncan, Mr Walter, Mr Geyton and Mr Miller and Mr Luke Sharp from Thomas Franks, Mr Ian Brown from Bespoke Conditioning, Mr Novell from the IT Department, Groundsman Mr Arnaud Cottey and myself.
The opening minutes were closely contested and the OVS saw a shot deflected onto the post. The staff team then began to take control of the game and we soon found ourselves 1-0 up through Mr Arnaud Cottey. In a rare moment of brilliance, Brad Wilkins went on a mazy run on the right wing, floated a perfect cross into the box and Chris Miller leapt high to execute a perfect bicycle kick. Unfortunately, it went slightly wide. The first half ended 2-0 after Mr Geyton coolly slotted his first of four goals into the bottom right hand corner, after latching on to a long through ball that the OVS team couldn’t cope with.
Mr Geyton’s second came early in the second half - calmly side-footing a cross from the right into the bottom corner. A great poacher’s finish. His hat trick goal was undoubtedly his best of the afternoon - Mr Novell won the ball on the right hand side of midfield, did a Cryuff turn to lose his marker and picked out Mr Duncan with a left footed cross-field pass. Mr Duncan headed the ball into Mr Walter’s path and he headed it back to Mr Duncan up the line. Mr Duncan drove into the box and cut it back for the on running Mr Geyton, who guided the ball in off the right hand post for a sublime team goal.
Mr Duncan was having a productive afternoon, winning headers in the midfield, carrying the ball into dangerous areas and linking up well with the forwards. His best contribution to the game was a sweetly struck volley into the top left hand corner of the goal, leaving James Grundy with no chance to make it 5-0.
The sixth goal, Mr Geyton’s fourth (he has been described as greedy), was scored after a looping cross from Mr Walter from the right. A few men were lined up at the back post to score but Mr Geyton’s shout was the loudest. Not even a slip could prevent him from making good contact with the ball, burying the half volley low into the net.
The match finished 7-0 after Mr Batchelor grabbed a goal late on. Notable performances were, Mr Millburn, in left back, and Mr Ebbage ensured that the OVS had no joy down the right flank.
A great day of football was had but most importantly, it was good to reconnect with former pupils. Will Bailey, last year’s Head of College, commented that this fixture should be part of the calendar. We look forward to welcoming many more OVS members for a match in the future.
A big thank you to Mrs Brazil and the OVS who supported this event by providing delicious refreshments.
