Arthurian League

Division 4

Saturday 13th November 2021

Kick Off 10.00 Actual 10.04

Old King’s Scholars 1 Old Ardinians 4, attendance 2

12’ 0-1

26’ 0-2

74’ 0-3 (pen)

75’ 1-3

84’ 1-4

@ King’s House Sports Ground

Riverside Drive

Chiswick

London

W4 2SP

No Admission or Programme.

I had done a game here at King’s House Sports Ground before, when I saw Old Carthusians beat Old Salopians 3-2 in an Arthurian League Premier Division match on 11th May 2017, which was played on the 3G pitch. Today’s match was on grass. Looking from the clubhouse, the 3G is to the right, with a rugby pitch running widthways in front of you. The pitch used today is beyond this, offset at an angle to the rugby, due to it being bordered by three cricket squares. I will hopefully return here for a third time, as Civil Service have their own designated pitch within the complex, which has a seated stand. It is in the far right hand corner of the complex, beyond a floodlit training area.

Today’s match was between two teams with contrasting form. King’s had only picked up one point from their opening six matches, whilst Ardinians had a 100% winning start from their three games played. When Ardinians went ahead after just twelve minutes, it looked like this might be a comfortable away win, but the scorer injured his hamstring as he put the ball in. With no substitutes available, it meant they would have to play the remainder of the game with ten men. It didn’t make any difference to the eventual outcome, but it certainly made the game more of a contest. The turning point came early in the second half, when King’s had a penalty saved when it was 0-2. If it had gone in things could have been so different. Ardinians were far too strong, even with a man short, and were well deserved winners.

It was finished by 12.38, so plenty of time to get to a second match.