After a long absence from the OSM press room, the first team journalist was bound to make a return to the media for the biggest game of the season (and perhaps with an ulterior motive). The weekend after Man Utd-Chelsea and on the afternoon of El Classico, the Amateur Football Combination was treated to a match of equal importance. A real 6-pointer! Marys lay where they have been all season, top of the pile, but were Marsh to win all their games in hand they would match us and most likely surpass the Braves on goal difference. However to win all of their games in hand they would have to beat us. More tension was brought to the occasion as a loss could even result in Marys missing promotion come the end of the season as Old Pauline are hot on the trail with an easy run-in to help them. The mood in the changing room didn’t change however. Steve Varty and Robbie Williams threw some shapes, Guildford occupied the toilet and eventually everyone got changed.

Pre match tension over and time for kick off. Matt Smart, looking to set the tone, gives the first contentious moment of the game. Marsh left back finds a short throw to his forward and gets it back to feet, Matt (now in Usain Bolt/Vinnie Jones mode), sprints past his forward and shows the left back what he is about on the half way line. Only a yellow, nearly worse for the powerful centre half. Moments later the ball is centre down our right and the gaffer Perry misses a tackle to give their winger some space. He picks out the forward who shields the ball only to have Matt Smart come through the back of him in an attempt to win the ball. Penalty! A great effort from stand in keeper Rob Crashaw but his palm couldn’t quite deflect the ball over and Marsh go 1-0 up.

This was a wake-up call and the play for the rest of the half would be all Mary’s. A free kick won the half way line would be sent into the box by Robbie Williams. Steve Varty got up to challenge bravely and prevented any clearance. The ball fell around the penalty spot and Luke House reacted fastest to volley the ball into the bottom right corner. 1-1 and the Perry Simpson roar is heard again.

Marys started to put some decent movement and passing together getting James Spencer involved in some good build up play. A Stuart Cale run won Mary’s a corner from the left side which Liam Mccabe moved across to take. Some dazzlingly basic movement from House lost him his marker and the ball matched up with the run as House was left with a sitter for his second. Marys 2-1 up! Perry Simpson again distracts the people eating their meals in Hall Place with a solid roar. Half time comes Mary’s very much on top and Marsh’s frustration beginning to show.

Heading out to the second half we knew a 45 minute clean sheet would be enough no matter how we got it and although there were outbursts of football including some exemplary hold up play from Tom Warwick, the tension started to lead to some stray passing and rushed decisions. Around 20 minutes into the second half and there were no real chances of note. We were solid at the back but lacked an edge going forwards. However with around 15 to play Steve Varty held the ball up on the left wing and turned inside to lay the ball of the House in space 25 yards from goal. One touch from House and a pile driver of a strike sent bobbling perilously straight towards the keeper. Kenan Arif-esque goalkeeping from the Marsh goal keeper however saw the ball hit the back of the net. A goal is a goal nonetheless and that was House’s hat-trick! Varty, a man for every occasion, feels a bundle is necessary as he slide tackles House to the floor. 3-1 up and House’s friends destined to be bored in the pub tonight.

Still the matter of 15 minutes to see out though and the Marsh centre half would be playing up the pitch from now on creating confusion and panic in the Mary’s ranks. Best efforts are made to run down the clock by hanging on to the ball and Sean Pusey entered the fray, but clearances began to be missed and with 4 to play the deficit would be cut to 1 as Crashaw again does well to block a one-on-one but the ball bounces back up of the chest of the forward and agonisingly goal-bound. Marys got the ball into Marsh half quickly and Warwick held the ball up on the right before being cut to the floor by an awful tackle. He went down and Marsh showed no sportsmanship in accusations of simulation and wanting to roll him off the pitch. The ball would be taken to the corner from the free kick and House was run into and sent to the ground. The referee however was suitably intimidated to let play go on. The last action however would be a Mary’s effort as Warwick had the keeper at full stretch to save a left footed drive. Final Whistle!

Great effort all over the pitch on the day and a thoroughly deserved victory. This leaves Marys requiring just one point from their last game at Sinjuns to secure the title and a much anticipated return to Inter South for the First team. Congratulations also go to the 2nd team who won their final game against Champions Thorntonians courtesy of a last minute Simon Jones strike, leaving their promotion chances in the hands of Glyn.