London Old Boys Cup Victory for Chiswick’s Old Meadonians

A tough but exciting game involving extra-time, 2 football pitches and an ambulance

Extra-time and 2 different football pitches at two different clubs were required for Old Meadonians of Chiswick to finally break an 11 year run of seasons without claiming Cup silverware. The old boys of Chiswick school (formerly known as ‘The School in Meadows – and hence the Meadonian name) have been serial collectors of trophies across their 7 men’s teams since they formed 95 years ago. But following a run of 18 major trophies in the 2000’s, it had been a tough stretch for the senior side of late, with frustrating defeats in the latter stages of numerous Cups.

So it was with hope rather than expectation that Meads took to the fields at Old Bealonians near Ilford for the final of the Old Boy’s Senior Cup last weekend. Facing Old Foresters who are a Division higher than Meadonians, the underdogs were not fancied by many neutrals in the large crowd. After a nervy opening, and a goal line clearance from veteran centre back Lawrie Pointer, Meads gradually asserted more authority. After 30 minutes a strong run into the box from striker Xav Mackney allowed him to cross to strike partner Phil McNicholas, who showed great composure to control and finish.

Only 5 minutes later, Meads doubled their lead with a wonderful training ground move from a corner. Full Back and Captain Matt Fishman made a late run to the corner of the penalty area as the ball was delivered into his path. Fishman’s first-time strike fizzed across the box and pinged into the net off the head of McNicholas. Post-match reviews of the live video coverage of the game supported McNicholas’ claims that he had headed it in, rather than failed to get out of the way of the fierce cross as some of his teammates uncharitably claimed.

A 2-0 half time lead could have meant a comfortable second half – but Meads seldom do things the easy way – and so it was to prove as Foresters came roaring back into the game after the break. They found the net only for the goal to be ruled out for offside, but minutes later another scrappy move was not dealt with by the Meads defence and the deficit was reduced to one.

Shortly after, a Foresters defender fell awkwardly and broke his arm. An ambulance was called, and a doctor found in the crowd, but as the player couldn’t be moved the game had to stop. With all other pitches at Bealonians hosting other Old Boy’s Cup Finals, it was fortunate that adjoining club Old Parkonians had a pitch spare. After a delay of some 40 minutes, both teams and supporters de-camped to the new pitch to play out the last 16 minutes of the game. Immediately Foresters found an equaliser to set up a thrilling finish with each team seeking to attack, but not overcommit.

Extra-time started with Meads looking the brighter, and following a deep cross to the far post McNicholas turned provider, heading the ball back to Mackney who received it, turned, and volleyed home in a single fluid motion, to regain the advantage for Meads.

As would be expected – Foresters were not to be beaten easily, and pressure from them mounted incrementally. In the last few minutes their ‘keeper was in the Meads box, seeking to convert a series of corners that Meads couldn’t get clear. But finally the ref called time on proceedings, and skipper Fishman was able to raise the trophy together with 1st team Manager Gordon Allison, who has done so much to bring this young Meads team to glory. Player of the Match was awarded to James Allison for a tireless and hugely influential role in central midfield.

March 22, 2024