Arthurian League

Arthur Dunn Cup Final

Saturday 22nd April 2023

Kick Off 14.45 Actual 15.02

Old Carthusians 0 Old Reptonians 0 (AET) (0-3 pens) attendance 172

@ Merchant Taylors’ School War Memorial Sports Ground

Rugby Pitch

East Drive

Northwood

HA6 2HT

No Admission

£5 Programme, 12 pages, proceeds donated to charity.

Old Carthusians are the Arthurian League Premier Division champions and have won the Arthur Dunn Cup 30 times, including six wins since 2014. Old Reptonians finished as runners up to them in the league and are the cup holders, having won the cup on 12 previous occasions.

Sadly, the game never lived up to expectations. In fact, it was absolutely dreadful and one of the worst games I have ever watched. It was absolutely turgid, as both teams played not to lose, rather than trying to win. The only goal chance came two minutes from time when Reptonians saw a shot tipped over the crossbar. Even worse, we had to suffer extra time, which just degenerated as it dragged on. The only ‘attempt on goal’ of the first period saw a Carthusians striker go clear, but his shot went out for a throw in! Four minutes from the end of the second period Reptonians had only their second attempt of the match, but the shot was deflected for a corner.

Carthusians were bad during the match, but their penalties were even worse. In fact, they were dreadful. The first hit the outside of the post, with the next two hit over the crossbar. Reptonians netted all three of theirs to retain the cup.

Unlike the first two finals today, this was played on the rugby pitch, which runs parallel to the running track, but is slightly nearer to the changing rooms. It is the only football match that is played on this pitch, so this was a rare opportunity to tick this ground off. Sadly, the small stand that was once here (was still there in 2019 when I came here to watch Old Merchant Taylors’ play on the cricket ground) has now gone. The pitch is roped on three sides through wooden stakes.

This was my first 0-0 since visiting Hawkenbury of the Sevenoaks & District League back on 10th May 2022, ending a run of 114 matches without one.

Arthurian League

Junior League Cup Final

Saturday 22nd April 2023

Kick Off 12.30 Actual 12.39

Old Alleynians II 2 Old Kimboltonians 1, attendance 72

5’ 0-1

49’ 1-1

90’ + 4, 2-1

@ Merchant Taylors’ School War Memorial Sports Ground

Running Track Pitch

East Drive

Northwood

HA6 2HT

No Admission

Programme free, 8 pages.

The second final of the day was also played on the pitch inside the running track and this time involved two teams from Division 2 as 5th played 4th in the league table. A lob over the ‘keeper, from just inside the box, saw Kimboltonians take an early lead and they came closest to adding to the scoring when they saw a cross/shot finger tipped over the crossbar just before halftime. Four minutes into the second half Alleynians levelled the scores, when a one-two on the edge of the box was finished with a shot that went in off the underside of the crossbar. The game flowed back and forth as both sides had chances to win it. Alleynians thought they’d won it late on, when they headed in from a corner, but it was ruled out for a foul. Four minutes into stoppage time they did finally get a winner though, when another header, again from a corner, was put in at the far post.

Arthurian League

David Woolcott Trophy Final

Saturday 22nd April 2023

Kick Off 10.00 Actual 10.03

Old Haberdashers 4 Old Brentwoods III 2, attendance 49

17’ 0-1

24’ 0-2

29’ 1-2

53’ 2-2

58’ 3-2

88’ 4-2

@ Merchant Taylors’ School War Memorial Sports Ground

Running Track Pitch

East Drive

Northwood

HA6 2HT

No Admission

Programme free, 8 pages.

Today I decided to do ‘Finals Day’ in the Arthurian League, where all three cup finals were being staged at Merchant Taylors’ School. I had been here back in October 2021, when I saw O.M.T. play on the Colts Cricket Club Pitch, which is the furthest pitch in the far right corner of the sports ground when entering from the car park/buildings. This mornings match was being played on the pitch inside the running track, which is still about 300-400 yards walk and was between two teams in Division 4. It was 1st versus 3rd as far as league positions go.

Brentwoods got off to a great start, opening the scoring after seventeen minutes, finishing off from close range after the ‘keeper failed to punch clear from a corner. They doubled their lead seven minutes later, finishing off a break down the right with a side foot finish from 10 yards. A shot on the turn saw Haberdashers pull it back to 1-2 after half an hour and eight minutes into the second half they made it 2-2, squeezing in a shot at the near post. The turnaround was complete before the hour mark, when a free kick from just outside the angle of the 18 yard box sailed over the ‘keeper into the far top corner. The killer fourth goal, aided by a deflection, saw them finally make it safe when they made it 4-2 with a couple of minutes left. There was still time for Brentwoods to have a man red carded in stoppage time, but the game was out of reach for them by then anyway.