London April 5th 2009 - Gazidis spoils Westport's Arsenal Adventure

OUAFC Old Boys "Over 40's" vs Westport (US) Old Boys
Date: Sunday 5th April 2009
Venue: The Honourable Artillery Company, City Road, London
Score: 2-1
Scorers for OUAFC: Anson (pen), Gazidis

OUAFC Squad: Cliff Collis, Iain McNeill, Ivan Gazidis, Tony Burns, Declan Link, Mark Crawley, Phil Woolner, Darren Taylor, Graham Box, Dave Lee, Ian King, Darren Rudkin, George Link, Simon Griffiths, Andy Anson, Ben Taylor.

On a sunny, Spring-time afternoon in the heart of the City of London, OUAFC Old Boys took on Westport's finest - having been invited over by mutual Old Boy, Ivan Gazidis.

The visitors were clearly on a mission and started strongly - dominating early possession and having the clearer chances to open the scoring. It was obviously not going to be a breeze in the park for the Oxford Boys today.

It was the introduction of Declan Link (".....aaargh!") on the half hour that provided the catalyst for OUAFC to go ahead. A well worked move resulted in Link's goal-bound effort being handled on the line and a penalty being awarded. Andy Anson - who was borrowing Ronaldo's old boots again - selflessly stepped forward to take on the responsibility of slotting the ball away. It remained 1-0 to Oxford through to half-time.

Westport started the second half as they had done the first - pressing hard for a way back into the contest and around the hour mark they too were awarded a penalty. Successfully converted and the score at 1-all, it was game on for the remaining half-hour.

Some resolute defending by the awesome OUAFC back-four ensured that Westport were unable to make a breakthrough and with around 15 minutes to go it was Westport Old Boy himself, Gazidis, that spoilt the day for the tourists - shooting strongly on the turn to force the ball home at the near post!

Final score - 2-1 to OUAFC. Probably the toughest and consequently most satisfying outing in recent years.



Post match, there was talk of a rematch back in Connecticut. They may have been a friendly bunch, but these Westport guys want revenge!! Maybe a seed has just been sown for a "BOT" 25th anniversary tour on 2011? It would need someone to organise it. Someone with plenty of time on their hands. Hey, Anson might not have a job then - and he does have a pedigree for these things? Only joking Andy - "Football's Coming Home"!