Football: Christmas update

The KCS Old Boys FC 1st XI have continued their good form in their return season to the Arthurian Premier League and find
themselves in a promising position at Christmas. An injury-hit October saw two poor results against Old Brentwoodians (2-3) and Old Harrovians (1-3) but the side bounced with an impressive run of three consecutive victories. Firstly, they overcame their old adversaries Old Tonbridgians 3-2 in an entertaining game (followed by an entertaining club social!) before defeating bottom side Old Salopians 2-0 and squeezing through 1-0 in the return fixture against Old Brentwoodians with Dan Phipps (OK 2003) scoring a fine winning goal. This set up a show-down with Old Foresters in the last game before Christmas with the winning side knowing that they would end the year as the top-placed team in the league – something that the KCS Old Boys have never achieved. A ding-dong game ensued with KCS finding themselves 0-2 down at half-time before scrambling back to with 20 minutes remaining. Sadly, though, a strong Forest side found a second wind and struck twice in 5 minutes and, despite a late goal from Jonny Corbett (2002), they held on for a 4-3 win.

Along with this good league form, the 1st XI have also progressed to the ¼ Final of the Arthur Dunn Cup as a couple of kind draws set up heavy victories against lower division sides Old Eastbournians (7-1) and King’s Scholars (7-1). The Arthur Dunn Cup in the second oldest cup competition in the world – pre-dated only by the FA Cup – and KCS will be looking to reach their second final in the New Year after the 1-2 loss to Old Etonians in 2010 who are, coincidentally, their 2014/2015 quarter-final opponent.

The game will be played on the 14th February at the impressive new facilities at Kingsway as The School have kindly allowed us to use the 1st XI pitch during half-term.
The 2nd XI have had some slightly more mixed fortunes as their injury-ravaged squad found themselves on the wrong side of some close games against Old Citizens, Old Salopians II and Old Epsomians and in a precarious position at the beginning of December. However, the timely return of some key personnel such as goalkeeper and vice-captain Greg Stoddart (OK 2008) along with midfielder Angus Dunsire (OK 2005) led to crucial wins against Old Brentwoodians II (2-0) and Old Malvernians II (3-2). With captain Ramon Selvakumaran (OK 2008) due to return from long-term injury in the New Year, the side can start looking up the league rather than over their shoulders and are confident that they can put together a late promotion push.

You can follow the fortunes of both teams in the results section of their new website, which was brilliantly put together by 1st
XI Goalkeeper Andy Tyler (OK 2001): www.kcsoldboysfc.com. You can also follow them on Twitter (@KingsOBFC).

Finally, KCS continue to be well-represented in the Arthurian League Rep XI with centre-backs Nick Perry (OK 2003), Rob Macdonald (OK 2005) joining Mike Tilles (OK 2002) and Alex Angel (OK 2010) in the side. A tight game against Oxford University was lost 2-3 but a great performance against The Navy saw the side win 3-2 at Corinthian Casuals with Alex Angel scoring the second equaliser in the match.

Training (above) takes place on Monday night at Raynes Park High School and on Clapham Common during pre-season. It combines fitness and football drills and is designed and run by the Old Boys.