Arriving late into the previous season, of the Woking Powerplay 6 a side league, attaining a position in the highest division with the absence of a couple players was going to be a new experience for the Olympians and avoiding relegation with a limited amount of games was a good result in order to keep us in the Premiership for the coming season.
With all but 2 players available for the opening game and an early match schedule, allowing a good training session, it was clear that the boys were fired up and ready to kick off the season on a high by beating former rivals CPR in a tough game finishing 9-6 to the opponents in the previous match. The team consisting of MacRitchie (G), Ward, Chessun, Way, Frudd, Ashbolt, Grey, Reid, Van Nederveen, substitutions would be a key advantage against our opponents. Everything was in place to achieve a great start to the new season.
With the floodlights beaming down and the new kits being worn with pride the game got underway as CPR began with a man down and the Olympians took full advantage of this situation. It was obvious the passion was there from the boys with 3 goals going in under 5 minutes which could have easily been 5 or 6. Connor Ward was a rock at the back only allowing one shot on goal in the first 5 minutes while James Frudd scoring 2, James Chessun scoring 1, Harry Ashbolt and the captain Eddie Way linking up nicely to provide an early lead.
However the game was far from over, CPR’S final player arrived and this did slightly alter the game. After a couple saves from goalkeeper MacRitchie, two good finishes from CPR’S midfielders meant that the game was almost level once again. With Grey, Van nederveen and Reid all coming on, a great peace of passing football with all the players involved saw a well worked team goal to obtain a 2 goal lead again over our opponents, but once again CPR came back by scoring two more well worked goals. Just before the half time whistle went a lovely counter attack saw top scorer of the club James Frudd give the Olympians a 5-4 lead going into the break. Everyone understood that we were playing some fantastic football and the general idea was to continue this quality style of play.
As the second half began, the Olympians couldn’t have come out playing any better. Some rash challenges from our opposition didn’t affect our determined mind set. Some good saves from MacRitchie and all players digging deep meant the Olympians went 8-4 up in a flash with goals coming from Frudd, Chessun and a brace from the captain Way. Grey was unlucky not to get what could have been a hat trick but 2 assists showed a great performance from him. Ollie Van Nederveen and Ashbolt on countless occasions played some magnificent balls creating endless chances for the team to increase their lead, while Connor Ward and David Reid prevented multiple goal opportunities through a very determined defensive performance.
As the full time whistle went the game came to close ending in a 10-5 Olympian win. This was a terrific team performance with all the players contributing a huge amount to a well-deserved victory. A fantastic start to the season, however, in order to lead on from this great result we will have to ensure our effort and discipline levels do not drop. Well done lads!
Ollie MacRitchie