THE OLD HABERDASHERS' Association Football

Report for 1996/97 Season

This was Haberdashers' third competitive season in the Arthurian League, and after a transitional season last year, the Club had much to prove.

For the 1st XI, September and October's results told their own story - just two goals conceded in a five match winning streak. The key to the success was skipper Evans' determination to strengthen midfield, using full backs pushing up into the more traditional 4-4-2. This served to plug the gaps that had undermined Habs' over-committed attacking game of the past and squeezed opposition possession into errors. Despite being deprived throughout the season of Matt Regan at centre half, the pairing of Simon Morley and Richard Paffley provided a reliable combination in the centre of defence, playing in all but one of the fixtures.

The 1st XI, as well as discovering how to close teams down, had also solved another major flaw from last year - winning away from home. The Croxdale Road turf had acquired a certain reputation in previous seasons for some uneven bounce ("more ruts than an 18-30 holiday” noted a visitor from Chigwell, which is in Essex and so was instantly dismissed). The insinuation was that Habs' could only play a scavenging long ball game that fell apart on a good surface. But wins at Wellingborough, Wykehamists, Harrow and Aldenham proved that a touch of silky footwork was not beyond us. The aerial domination of Evans and Brearley made for more possession to work the flanks, whilst Wellard scored some fine goals from set-pieces and long range.

By February, the 1st XI had only lost two league games and were set for promotion. But the ambition to go on and clinch the title was obvious and a thumping 5-2 victory sealed the trophy on the last day of the league season.

For the 2nd XI, the pattern was also clear, if less appealing. Most weeks seem to result in either a spirited first half, only to allow the opposition a goal flurry late in the game, or more frustratingly, lose out to the odd goal in the dying minutes. Despite the occasional moment of glory (skipper John Burry's hat trick in the local derby 4-4 scrap against Aldenhamians), Christmas came and went leaving the 2nd XI in search of their first win.

The 2nd XI finally found success in January, beating Foresters, of all teams, 3-2, one of the strongest clubs in the League. Yet, two heavy defeats at the hands of Salopians and Ardinians completed a dismal series of away fixtures and a season of near misses and punishing losses.

Amongst the highs and lows of league outings came the annual School Match, which saw a win, loss and draw for the 1sts, 3rds and 2nds respectively. As always, this is a fixture which is keenly contested, and remains an important link between present O.H. players and the future of the Club's next generation.
Rick Harris