2015/16 Season week by week

Saturday 30th April 2016

The 4th XI played out our final club fixture of the 2015/16 season at Vampires and the match ended up all square with a 2-2 draw. That is all for this season but plenty of planning ahead for the club committee in order to be ready for 2016/17.

Thursday 28th April 2016

On a cold and windswept evening our famous 5s finally ran aground on the rocks of Old Parkonians, who now look odds-on to take the Division 5 title. This game concluded a somewhat binary campaign for the 5th XI, who were unbeatable up to the Christmas break and then found the going tough in the second half of the season, registering only a couple of wins. Next season lads...

April 100 Club draw:

£70 - W Tansley

£40 C Gallagher

£25 S Presland

Saturday 23rd April 2016

A great win for the 5th XI keeps promotion hopes well and truly alive and even gives them a chance of the title if they can tonk Old Pakonians on Tuesday - good luck lads! The 4s lost 1-0 in a tight game, and have their final fixture next Saturday at Vampires.

Saturday 16th April 2016

A poor set of results this weekend with defeat greeting all 3 of our sides in action. Tight games for the 1s and 4s, bit of a bloodbath for our 5s. It's touch and go now for the 5th XI in terms of promotion and even the title. More Spurs than Leicester maybe ?

Tuesday 12th April 2016

Midweek fixtures can be unpredictable affairs given availability of players, work etc and our 5th XI suffered a 3-0 defeat to Winchmore Hill this evening. Promotion and title still in their hands though with 3 games left. Key one is final game against Parkonians. You can do it lads!

Saturday 9th April 2016

Good win at our home ground for Perry's boys as the 1st XI solidified their position in mid table by beating Broomfield 3-2. Also in mid table the 4th XI narrowly lost out 1-0 to the Norsemen, while our 5th XI suffered a rare setback against Garchonians. However, 2 wins from their final 4 games guarantees promotion and the lads will be fighting hard to take their Division title after a consistent season.

March 2016 - 100 Club Draw

Well done to the following:

£70 - M Deane

£40 - L Gilligan

£25 - M Spence

Saturday 2nd April 2016

The 1st, 2nd and 5th XIs were all back in action this weekend after the chocolate-laden layoff that is Easter. No joy for the 1s and 2s but the Famous Fives continued in their quest for Division 4 North glory with a fine win. 6 games to go for them. Tuesday fixtures will feature for the 4s and 5s in April.

Saturday 26th March 2016

Easter weekend means no fixtures for OSFC. Bring on April and the run in, which is especially important for our 5th XI who remain on course for promotion and have a fair chance of the Minor Division 4 title.

Saturday 19th March 2016

Mixed fortunes this Saturday as our Reserves just lost out in a tight encounter with local rivals EBOGs (local geographically I mean) and our 4th XI kept a clean sheet in their 2-0 victory over Winchmore Hill. The first draw for the 100 Club took place this Saturday 19th March at the Clubhouse.

Saturday 12th March 2016

Good to get a couple of teams playing again after a frustrating few weeks with the pitches. Not so good that we could not find the net in either the 1st or 2nd XI games and finished with no points this weekend.

Saturday 5th March 2016

Blank weekend - waterlogged pitches again.

Saturday 20th February 2016

Blank weekend - pitches were scuppered by the rain and ground water.

Saturday 13th February 2016

Mixed fortunes this weekend, with some games postponed and those that remained saw the 1st XI take all 3 points at home v Lyonians with a convincing 4-1 win; and the 5th XI lose away against the same opposition, going down 5-2. Happily the 5s remain top of their table having been so consistent this season.

Saturday 6th February 2016

Congratulations to Perry's boys in the 1st XI for their 4-2 win at Oldsmiths. Moves the team up into solid mid-table position and ready to kick on for rest of the season. 4s were beaten 4-3 in a close encounter at home on what was always going to be a soggy pitch. No doubt the current winds will help to dry things out a bit before the weekend.

Saturday 30th January 2016

Waterlogged pitches at our ground and Alexandra Park so the 1st, 4th and 5th XI fixtures are postponed. Our tireless fixtures secretary Mike Kassie attempted to find alternative venues without success. Bad weekend.

Saturday 23rd January 2016

Waterlogged pitches at our ground meant the 4th and 5th XI fixtures were postponed but our 1st and 2nd XI were both in action. Unfortunately we could not pick up any points, with the 1s going down 2-0 at Old Blues and the Reserves losing 3-0 at Actonians. On a more positive note congratulations to the SAL Representative team who beat Hertfordshire in the FA Inter-League Cup and are now through to the Semi-Finals of this prestigious tournament.

Saturday 16th January 2016

Reasonable day at the office with wins for the 2s and the 4s (who hit 8 past Parkonians to move into 3rd place in Minor Division 2 North), a point for the 1st XI against Blues (and return fixture is next Saturday). Sadly the 5th XI were knocked out of the Old Boys Cup by Suttonians who are very strong so the lads can be proud of getting so far in the tournament.

Saturday 9th January 2016

Bit of a washout all round I'm afraid. The rain got the better of the pitches and our only team in action (2nd XI) were beaten 2-0 at Finchley. Forecast is for freezing temperatures next week so keep an eye on the website and Twitter regarding next weekend's matches.

Boxing Day 2015

We were hosted by our friends at Old Finchleians on Boxing Day and came away all square. The Vets (mostly of the mega variety) were beaten 3-1 and our younger side won 7-5. As always our hosts were most generous with their hospitality and it was a hugely enjoyable day for all those involved. Old Stationers THANK Old Finchleians and wish them well in the second half of the season (apart from when they play us of course!). Happy new year to all our members, players, staff, the committee & old Stationers of every variety and see you all in 2016.

In Memoriam - Alan Rowe, Old Stationer

(front row, centre in the 60/61 1st XI photo opposite)

We have received sad news that one of the club's great players, Alan Rowe, died recently at the age of 80. Alan played as a centre back for the club during the 50s, 60s, and into the early 70s. Renowned for his strong tackling, heading ability and calm demeanour, he captained the 1st XI for three seasons from 1959/60 to 1961/62 and was vice captain when the 1st XI won the SAL Senior Division 1 Championship in the 1964/65 season (for the only time in the club's history). He was also an integral part of the 1st XI that reached the AFA Senior Cup Final in 1967/68 against Old Salesians which was played at Dulwich Hamlet FC (having drawn the first match we unfortunately lost in the replay). Not only did Alan play over 400 1st XI games for OSFC with great distinction, he also represented and captained both the AFA and SAL Representative teams on many occasions, underlining his high standing in AFA football.

He was a true great in the history of Old Stationers football and a perfect gentleman both on and off the pitch. I am sure all that knew him will wish to offer their condolences to his family and friends.

Ian Meyrick - Club Chairman, December 19th 2015

Saturday 19th December

Congratulations to the famous 5s who finish the year top of Minor Division 4 North after a fabulous first half to the season. Mike Douglas & Alan Amato's boys (organised as ever by Nick Plinston) rounded off 2015 with a 7-3 win in the mud at Edmonton (thanks to Ian Charles and his Norsemen for the loan of the pitch!). It has been a tough season so far for the 1st & 2nd XIs and we look forward to an uptick in form and results (and luck ?) in 2016. The 4th XI had their AFA Cup run ended by a strong UCL Academicals but should be proud of getting this far in the toughest tournament in our football. Merry Christmas to all associated with the club and have an enjoyable holiday.

Saturday 12th December

All games were beaten by the weather this weekend with saturated pitches the norm in the Southern Amateur League. I'm sure many will have enjoyed the alternative "sport" of Xmas shopping on Saturday afternoon... Fingers crossed for 19th.

Saturday 5th December 2015

AFA Cup blues for the 1st XI who took on First Division Alleyns and were well beaten in the end. Better news at home though where the strong wind made a mockery of any attempt to play passing football. Our 2nd XI and our 5th XI showed resilience and character to come out on top in their respective games, winning 2-1 in tight encounters. I think it fair to say the oppo were unlucky in each case but if anyone deserves a break it is the Reserves who have not had the rub of the green this season. A last minute scramble that saw the ball cleared off our line (did it go over ? - without goal line technology we'll never know) gave Kyri's boys all 3 points and left Merton to wonder what might have been. Mike Douglas was denied a wonderful goal when his lob from 30 yards was disallowed for an earlier foul in the build up play but nonetheless the 5th XI ground out their win to remain top of the table and 4 points clear now. The 4th XI also did their bit with a very good win at Norsemen, walking off 4-2 winners to move into 2nd place in their division.

Saturday 28th November 2015

A good day for the 1st XI who beat South Bank CUACO 2-1 at our soggy home ground, which will be even soggier after the Sunday downpour. The 2nd XI were knocked out of the OB Cup in a close encounter. losing 3-2 away at Minchendenians. Meanwhile, with our 3rd XI fixture cancelled and the 5th XI rained off it was down to our 4th XI to provide the goals, and they did not disappoint, walloping 8 past Lyonians. The weather will doubtless play a part in the coming weeks as always so keep a close eye on the website and twitter for updates as Saturday approaches.

Saturday 21st November 2015

Almost a total washout due to waterlogged pitches BUT... great result for Perry Langley's lads in the 1st XI, beating Broomfield away 3-2 and offer us all some light in these gloomy times.

Saturday 14th November 2015

Bit of a mixed weekend with the 1st XI going down to a very unflattering scoreline as their performance deserved more against the Norsemen. Our 2s and 5s were without fixtures so it was left to the 3s and 4s to bang in the goals which they did with aplomb. The 3rd XI hit 11 at Carshalton and got me thinking of the 1963 FA Cup result when Spurs thrashed Crewe 13-2. The good old days which are only rememberd by those with grey or no hair! Talking of whom, our Mega Vets fought valiantly in their friendly fixture until their legs gave way around the hour mark and at that point the flood gates opened in our goalmouth.

Saturday 7th November 2015

The heavy rain of the past few days scuppered some fixtures this weekend but it did not stop Perry's 1st XI smashing 5 past Old Vaughanians in the AFA Cup. A great result and through to the next round of this most prestigious tournament. Well done lads. The only other team in action was the 5th XI who suffered their first League defeat of the season at Parkonians. The famous fives remain top of their table though in Minor Division 4 North.

Saturday 31st October 2015

What to say on Halloween except it was a frightful series of results for all the 11s in action - BUT... all the teams performed well and the games were tight. Kyri's lads lost out in a tight encounter against a strong Carshalton team, Tommy's boys dominated their game against Finchley but went down 1-0, our 4s were only beaten on penalties after extra time, even though Mark Tansley made a fine save from an early penalty, and the 5s worked tirelessly on a muddy pitch against a very strong Bealonians team before succumbing to tired legs, injuries and lack of subs in extra time. On to better things next week.

Saturday 24th October 2015

Hard times continue in the upper echelons of our club, with both Perry and Kyri's lads working hard but with no points to show for their efforts. The performance of the week came from our 3s, who walloped Wilsonians in the OB Cup (well done Tommy et al). Can they go all the way in this tournament like our 1st XI did in 1989 ? (by the way, can you guess whose sweatshirt is featured on this page ?). Further down the League we saw the 4s win a tight encounter at Lyonians to move into the top 3 of Division 2 North. And continuing their unbeaten start to the season our 5th XI were at it again, beating Garchonians 2-1 to maintain their status at the top of Division 4 North.

Saturday 17th October 2015

Tough day at the office for the 1st and 2nd XIs, with both teams unable to register a goal against Finchleians and table-topping Polytechnic. Better news for the 4s and 5s however, with goals aplenty. It has been an impressive start to the season for the 5th XI, organised by Nick Plinston and led by big Al Amato and Mike Douglas. They are unbeaten in the League and now stand a point clear at the top of Division 4 North. Keep it going lads.

Saturday 10th October 2015

Annual OSFC Ex-Players Re-Union Day

Great to see so many familiar faces of years gone by at the ground and notably in the bar after the matches. A good turnout and some decent food and drink to help the occasion along. It was a tough day for the 1st XI, who were up against a strong Kew outfit and were beaten despite the 20 or 30 supporters on the sidelines. The 2s got back to their winning ways, convincing winners in the end against St James Old Boys after a tight first half. Great results all the way down the rest of the club, with the 3s coming back to win 4-2 at Wilsonians (no mean feat), the 4s making hay in the AFA Cup with a magnificent victory (and no goals going past Mark Tansley!) and the 5th XI doing us proud with a 3-0 win at Winchmore Hill to go top of their table.

Saturday 3rd October 2015

Great win for the 1st XI at Old Westminster Citizens who were riding high in 2nd place in the Senior Div 3 table. Perry and his lads now move up to 5th place. It's been a mixed start to the season for Kyri and his 2nd XI, and a tough encounter against Old Esthamaiens ended in defeat and sees the lads languishing near the bottom of the table - unknown territory for this squad and I'm sure they will fight back strongly. The 3s and 5s both fought hard for their point in their drawn matches, and the 4s match ended with no points at Norsemen. AFA Cup for them next weekend where progress to the next round would be a good boost.

Sunday 27th September 2015

Our Mega Vets beat Old Finchleians 2:1 thanks to a brace from new skipper Jacques "2" Toumany. Bet there were some aching limbs in the bar afterwards! Thanks to Finchley for hosting.

Saturday 26th September - Bad day at the office to say the least this weekend. All our teams involved in action were beaten, although the 4s were unlucky to lose by the odd goal in 11 with a delicate lob in added time at the end of a scrappy game mixed with top class finishing by both sides. The 2s fought hard against a tenacious and speedy Parmiterians to no avail in the AFA Cup and will be the better for their efforts in terms of match fitness when they resume League duties next weekend. On to better things...

Saturday 19th September - We're off and running in the Old Boys Cup, with Perry's lads victorious at home against Old Tenisonians. Slim margin of victory in the end but through to the next round. The 2nd XI are also showing signs of continuing their impressive form of last season, winning handsomely 5-2 at home against the Bank of England. Tough fixture for the 3rd XI at a strong Alleyns but they will bounce back I'm sure. Our 4s and 5s both took points in draws at the Winchmore Hill and Norsemen, both tough grounds so decent results.

Saturday 12th September - On a beautiful early autumn afternoon our 1st XI ground out a hard earned 4-3 win over Oldsmiths, dominating the first half and going 2-0 up at HT. Oldsmiths worked tirelessly to get back into the game and scored 2 decent goals early in the 2nd half, but we matched them and saw out the remaining few minutes. The 2nd XI went down 4-2 against a strong Alexandra Park. More to come from them knowing the determination in their ranks to succeed. The 4th XI had a magnificent victory over the Norsemen, playing some lovely football along the way. As Pat Dunphy remarked from the sidelines in his celtic brogue, "Justin Zaccharia - class is permanent". Spot on.

Saturday 5th September - The 1st XI got their season underway at the Norsemen, losing out 5-4 in the end, having been 4-3 up with only 5 minutes left! Early season volatility or a focused effort on ensuring they are up first on Match of the Day ? Time will tell - early days...

Saturday 29th August - Unfortunately we lost out at Vampires in the Goulding Cup on goal difference. The 3s and 5s got us off to a good start in the earlier kick offs, and it looked good when the 4s won their game after going behind. On a steamy day in Crouch End our 1s and 2s fought hard but to no avail. Good pre-season workout irrespective of the overall result and some good new players tried out which bodes well for the season ahead.