The 2s arrived to a wet and windy REMPF looking to compete with an in-form Old Tenisonians side.
The game started with the opposition on top but with some gritty and determined defending, there were not many clear-cut chances for the away side.
OT’s struggled to keep hold of the ball throughout the half but there were some glimmers of hope. Captain Deji led from the front with some elegant pieces of skill (including three nutmegs) and saw his bullet header from a corner cleared off the line and go narrowly wide. 0-0 at the break.
We continued to believe that a goal would come from somewhere and that belief became reality early in the second half when Matt Dobson caught on to a loose pass from the defender and rifled home above the helpless keeper (Sergio Aguero style) to put the home side in front.
A couple of half chances fell to Ben and Rich but some last ditch defending prevented a second goal. Tensionians continued to search for an equaliser but the defence held strong with some great work from Henry Pepperell and Sam Pinney (in the Declan Rice role) to snuff out any potential danger. The wall was finally broken when the opposition striker found some space on the right flank and charged towards goal. However, John Harrison stood tall and produced a wonderful save to keep the shot at bay. In the final minutes some lazy marking from a corner led to a golden chance for the away side to snatch an equaliser but Ben Dockerill came flying across to make a superb block to keep it 1-0.
The 2s held out for a well fought and satisfying 1-0 win against a very good side. Up the Onions!
Match report by Charlie Rattigan