Match played 22nd October 2006
OS Mega Vets 7-3 SAL Invitation XI
Scorers: Blackmore 2, Fuller 2, Mathias, Gilligan, Sesto
With blood pumping, sinews straining and encouraged by the massed ranks of OS players past and present the Mega-Vets made a scintillating start against an SAL all-star team, assembled to help celebrate our centenary but unable to cope with the pace, power and precision of our football. Our first five attacks in the opening 10mins resulted in 5 goals, all of the highest quality as Blackmore and Fuller twice, and Mathias threw off the shackles of old father time to notch as in days gone by. Gilligan (who seems reluctant to accept his shackles in the first place) added a sixth with a powerful drive (you see how surreal it is now) midway through the half, before inevitably as our medication wore-off, reality set in and the oppo's class began to show. They pulled 3 goals back before the interval to change round 3-6 down, a more reflective score line on the balance of play. The 2nd half was a rather tame affair by comparison, whether this was as a result of the tired limbs, the "Ericsson" like substitutions, the emotion of the occasion or the Taylor's Special Reserve taken as refreshment at half time is hard to tell. However, only one more goal was added in the 2nd half when Sesto rounded their keeper to slot home neatly. I would like to add a special thanks to all the players who represented the SAL so energetically (both on the pitch and in the bar), some of whom, despite being "stars of yesteryear" had not played for sometime but showed that like riding a bike, age is not a barrier, you just pedal a bit slower! The game was a fitting "starter" to a memorable day and it was tremendous to see so many old faces (other than those on the pitch) that had been part of the history of our club. Preparations are already in place to celebrate our bi-centenary. Gilly has promised to bring his boots, just in case, Grant will be telling the same jokes and Hawk will still have that jumper on!