After a questionable defeat following the decision to leave out club legends Jack Grey and Ollie van Nederveen, there were some rumblings in the press as to whether they would be making a comeback for the classically prestigious game against AFC Menfonza, and, as anticipated the duo made a return to the team brushing aside the criticisms.
Olympia started the match off with a line-up to make many top-tier teams quiver in their boots, with powerhouse David Reid playing the all-important holding midfield role after van Nederveen could not make it to the pitch due to technical issues. The first goal unfortunately went to the Menfoza with a shot flying past Macritchie’s post. However from this point on the Olympians got their game on with star man James Frudd terrorising the opposition defence and quickly enough getting himself on the score sheet. However with this it was a very smash and grab style of play from Menfonza which allowed them to clinch two goals in their time. Substitute van Nederveen came on and quickly left his mark on the keeper with a volley from short range after an excellent ball from cross field. Also back from the break, Jack Grey had something to say and from his role at the back, slotted two goals in proving his value to the team, with his quick feet dazzling the behemoths of his opponents and leaving them for dead.
It is hard to write a match report without the obvious mention of James Frudd, and despite being mentioned before it is important to show him some love again as he found himself in dazzling form throughout the second half skipping past players as if they weren’t even there and bagging himself some glorious finishes and assists for his Olympia teammates. James Chessun, playing the Roberto Carlos role at centre back played his vital role as always, firing passes in from all over the pitch bagging some fine assists as well as a goal to top it off. However, despite the score line making it seem as if the game was a faculty for the team, some outstanding goalkeeping kept us in it at many points. Thanks to Macritchie, star footballer and tennis player, the Olympians were kept in the game thanks to his cat-like reflexes.
The game was a good outing for the Olympians with another ‘new look’ squad, but the Christmas blues seemed to not have affected the team as they strode away with a confident victory and a sign that this year was going to be the year of Olympia.
CCS SPONSORED MAN OF THE MATCH : Ollie Van Nederveen
Match Report carried out by: Ollie van Nederveen