On Saturday 25th March, 14 Downside pupils travelled to Battersea Park, London to play their fixture against the Old Gregorian Football Club.
The final match of the 1st XI season saw a wonderful display of both current pupil and Old Gregorian sporting efforts. Paul Hunt, 1st XI Coach, said that ‘although a stronger team, the Downside pupils were determined to not let the OGs knock them off the ball. A fine ball past the keeper saw the pupils into a 1-0 lead before half time. We kept our lead until ten minutes from time when the OG Team scored a deserved equaliser. The final score of 1-1 was a fair reflection on a good-natured match’.
The pupils who will continue their journey with, or into, the 1st XI look forward to next year’s rematch.
Jamie Francis-Jones (B84), President of the OGFC said, ‘The one-all draw was a fair result, with players on both sides contributing maximum effort. Fortunately, the pitch was in better order than feared, and although a little undulating, provided the perfect spot in London for the gathering. This was the final OGFC fixture of the season, and the team now look forward to the return match, at Downside, in Sept 2023. The next Battersea clash is pencilled in for the end of the Lent term 2024. If you’re keen to play for the team, you’d be VERY welcome. Please do join via the ‘OGFC’ Facebook Group’.
