POLY TECHNICAL BETTER

The AFA Senior Cup has been played since the 1907-8 season. The Casuals (before the club merged with the Corinthians) beat the Old Carthusians in the first AFA final. The OCs reached the final again over 100 yearslater in 2010-11, throwing away a 2-0 lead to lose to the Old Salesians 2-3.

Polytechnic have not won the cup before but this season they are top of their league and by today's performance a better side than the Carthusians. The Polytechnic is an open club whilst the Carthusians is closed and they stick to their "rules" rigidly.

It was a determined and direct game, won by the "Open Club" 4-1. They went 3-0 up in the first half, but each goal might have been prevented with a little more expertise and organisation. Polytechnic were strong and big, the pitch hard and bouncey and they controlled the game better. They conceded a silly goal through goalkeeper error and then scored a belter to seal the game.

The OCs will be disappointed with the result, but they never stopped working and believing, however they will appreciate the difference between the level of opposition that they meet week in and week out in the Arthurian league (clubs are closed), a less competitive league than the "open" Southern Amateur League.

Poly have played at Buckingham Palace in celebration of the FA's 150th anniversary (2103); playing an official SA League match against the Civil Service on a pitch especially prepared at Prince William's request! Look at yesterday's blog for a few more historic gems.

Many thanks to the Old Owens' Sports Club for hosting the match and to the AFA for arranging everything else. I drove 350 miles to enjoy the game on a wonderful sunny day in Potters' Bar.....bliss.

Next for the OCs,

the Arthur Dunn Cup (semi-final) and the London Old Boys' Cup Final.....busy club. The mob above are the real OLD BOYS....