OWFC Derrick Moore Veterans Plate Final, 23-24

Back row: JK Merriott (I, 97-02); AB Donald (I, 85-90); PW Sutton (G, 98-03); GH Baker (H, 84-89); NM Day (F, 99-04), CR Jacobs (C, 96-01); JW Hewitson (F, 80-85)

Front row: YC Wakiwaka (X, 98-03), JLT Guest (C, 97-02); TW Vernon (G, 97-02); MTL McGrandle (C, 89-94); JH Wilson (E, 01-06)

Derrick Moore Veterans Plate Final, 23-24
Sunday 22nd September 2024

In a rescheduled final against Old Foresters Veterans, Old Wykehamist Veterans held on to claim an historic win.

Old Foresters Veterans 0 - 1  Old Wykehamists Veterans

Old Wykehamist Vets travelled away to Old Foresters Vets in the Derrick Moore Veterans Plate final. This was a journey that had started back in November 2023 when, in the first round of the Derrick Moore Veterans Cup, OWs were soundly beaten by Old Etonians. That 4-0 drubbing by the eventual cup winners saw OWs drop down into the Plate at the quarter-final stage, where they would meet Lancing Old Boys. This February fixture was a casualty of the weather so a waterlogged pitch and Lancing’s inability to find a replacement date saw OWs awarded the tie; the ski season can decimate Arthurian League availability as AFCON does the Premier League. So, somewhat unconventionally, the Vets found themselves in a semi-final with a record reading: played one, lost one. Harrow away was the tie in mid-March, played on a huge, impeccable pitch. Much-fancied Harrow had all the play but couldn’t score while OWs went in at half time having had three chances and scored all of them. Predictably, OWs conceded two early goals and the last 30min resembled a siege. However, OWs held on to claim a famous 3-2 win and so on the run continued, to the neutral venue of Merchant Taylors’ for the final against Old Forrester’s Vets in late April. This too was a casualty of the weather, called off on the morning of the match, much to the chagrin of those who had made the trip to northwest London. Shortly thereafter wickets replaced goals on the school's playing fields and the decision was made to play the match at the start of the next season.

And so to September 2024, but this time a pitch at Merchant Taylors’ was not forthcoming so Old Foresters offered to host and, consequently, OWs faced a trip to the edges of Epping Forest… historically not one of their happy hunting grounds. The hosts looked an organised outfit: bothering to conduct their warm-up routine to the side of the pitch and posing for the pre-match team photo with the front row synchronised, left knee down. All ominous stuff. Indeed they started strongly, passing the ball well and repeatedly getting their dangerous No. 10 into the game. OWs couldn’t keep hold of the ball and attack after attack bore down on their goal. A stupendous Wakiwaka sliding tackle denied a clear chance. Two Old Foresters shots went narrowly wide and another was almost turned in as an own goal. Then, around the half-hour mark, OWs scored. A long goal kick was flicked on and John Wilson, making his Vets debut and having run off a crunching hit earlier in the game, played a one-two and buried a shot from the edge of the box. Jubilation for the OWs who now had their moment in the final but it had been very much against the run of play.

At half time OWs were delighted to have a lead but were lamenting an inability to bring the game under any sort of control. There was also debate whether to stick or twist; the fullbacks stuck, the wingers twisted, and Baker, usually a centre-back but here volunteering to take the gloves, took it upon himself to see out the 90 minutes in goal. ‘Let’s pass the ball, lads’ was the message and, so they did, as the start of the second half saw a much-improved OW performance. They even strung together a move of upwards of ten passes, a feat that would have been all the more impressive if an incredulous OW hadn’t announced it as a record.

And as the game went on, confidence grew. The defence was now well organised: tireless full backs Donald and Guest were being marshalled superbly by Day and Wakiwaka. The central midfield pairing of Sutton and Merriott were tracking runners and offering options. Vernon and Wilson were providing width and, up top, the trio of Jacobs, Hewitson and McGrandle rotated to offer an outlet and a threat on the break. Old Foresters were left to attempt wayward shots from distance and high crosses that the commanding Baker plucked out of the air with authority. Down the other end, OWs should really have killed the game off with a huge double chance: Vernon firing at the keeper and Wilson doing the same with the follow up. But Old Foresters would surely have one more chance and so they did: this a free kick, quite central, just outside the box. The strike was true and bending beautifully into the bottom left corner until Baker, at full stretch, clawed it out for a corner with the ball almost behind him.

Minutes later the final whistle went and OWs were in dreamland. The team had played superbly to a man and claimed an historic win.

Cup run:
QF: 25/02: walkover v Lancing Old Boys Vets 
SF: 17/03: Old Harrovians Vets (a), 3-2
Final: 28/04: rained off 
Reschedule final: 22/09: Old Foresters Vets (a) 1-0