The Arthur Dunn Cup is the elite association football competition in which Public School Old Boys teams compete. It is the soccer equivalent of The Halford Hewitt Golf Tournament and The Cricketer Cup both of which are, like The Arthur Dunn Cup, highly prestigious competitions in which OMT is proud and honored to be invited to compete.

The First Arthur Dunn Cup final was played on 28th March 1903 between Old Carthusians and Old Salopians at Crystal Place the result being 2-2. After a replay which also was drawn, the Cup was shared. By an amazing coincidence in the centenary year of the Cup in 2002-2003 the final was contested by the same sides and Old Salopians won 2 -1.

OMT, having received a walk over in the 1st round of the 2016-17 competition since our opponents Old Kings Scholars (The King’s School, Canterbury) were unable to raise a team, were drawn to play away to Old Chigwellians (OC) at Chigwell School on Saturday 7th January 2017.

OMT, who at the start of play, were currently top of Arthurian League Division 4 knew that a difficult task was before them since OC were 2nd in Division 1 of the same League.
Sadly, form, fitness, preparation, and class told its story and OMT were beaten 5 -0.

For the first 20 minutes or so OMT were subjected to consistent attacks by OC, but playing with a good defensive and mid field shape, kept OC to a number of long range shots that were fortunately off target. As OC stepped up the pace and accuracy of their game the OMT goal came under severe pressure, and only a number of fine saves from goalkeeper Lewis Malkin, the aid of the posts and crossbar (4 times!!), and a number of heroic goal line clearances kept the score to 0-0. However, OC finally breached the OMT defence to score twice just before half time to lead 2-0.

At 1-0 OMT captain and main striker Jason Kasler had two remarkable effects on the match. First, he was sent clear through the OC defence and on approaching the OC goalkeeper on a one to one situation he attempted to take the ball round the goalkeeper and place it into the empty OC goal. Unfortunately Jason rounded the goalkeeper, but the ball did not!

Then moments later, Jason rallied his tem with the words: “Be positive OMT. We will be playing downhill in the second half” whereupon both sides and the spectators burst into laughter, since OMT were playing downhill at that time in the first half!

The second half showed no difference to the pattern of the match with Lewis making further fine saves, the OMT post again being hit, and OC having many more shots on the OMT goal as OMT tired under this pressure.

On one rare OMT raid on the OC goal an OMT headed effort was cleared off the OC goal line with their goalkeeper beaten following an OMT corner.

So OC won 5 -0, and the score could have been higher. Apart from Lewis in goal notable OMT performances came from centre back James Ferguson and midfielder Shail Patel.

Over a post match jug of beer I was invited by OMT to nominate my OMT Man of the match.
I selected 2 - OMT Goalkeeper Lewis Malkin and his crossbar and posts for their many fine saves!!

OC were most friendly and hospitable in their Club House after the match – I was generously entertained by a number of their past Presidents and players -, and on my journey home I inadvertently passed Buckhurst Hill Tube Station 3 times en route for The M25 (owing to my incompetent navigation, not any alcoholic intake of which I took none)!!!

OMT must not be down hearted. We have participated in a highly prestigious competition, and hopefully learned much from playing against a more experienced and stronger team. The only advice I was able to give to Jason and our team that we might consider preparing a little more on the pitch than in the night club!!

I end with some possible good news for the future. The organisers of The Arthurian League and Arthur Dunn Cup have approached OMT with a view to discussing the possibility of playing their finals day matches at OMT in Spring 2018. Normally 300-400 attend the Arthur Dunn Cup Final.
At this time any such discussions are at a very preliminary stage.

I wish OMTAFC better luck in our next Arthur Dunn Cup campaign.

PHILIP NEWFIELD.
PRESIDENT OMT SOCIETY.
JANUARY 2017.

Match details

Match date

Sat 07 Jan 2017

Kickoff

13:00

Meet time

12:00

Location

Old Chigwellians Club Pitch 1

Instructions

ARTHUR DUNN CUP

Sweat out that xmas party excess...

From Buckhurst Hill, follow Palmerston Road then Roding Lane across the bridge over the M11, then turn immediately left (still Roding Lane), the ground and clubhouse are 400 yards along on the left.

From the M25

From (M25), Junction 26 take A121 to Loughton, A1168 to Chigwell, A113 to Chigwell village, turn right into Roding Lane opposite the Kings Head public house. Ground and clubhouse are 1km on the right.

By Tube and Bus

Take the central line to Buckhurst Hill (Epping branch). You can either take the 167 bus (one bus every fifteen minutes) from outside the station until Guru Gobing Singh Khalsa College on Roding Lane. Walk over the M11 bridge and take a left onto Roding Lane.

The ground is 200 meters on the left-hand side and will take five minutes from the bus stop. Alternatively, you can walk from Buckhurst Hill station which will take about 20 minutes. Take a right outside the station and a further right onto Palmerston Road.

Continue over the traffic lights and go past the school and David Lloyds Club on your left.

Cross over the M11 bridge and take the first road left up Roding Lane. The ground is 200 meters further on your left hand side.

Attendance

Team overview