WHOBA Football 24th March 2024

A small but select group of enthusiasts turned out on a bright but crisp Sunday morning with the game played at school rather than Richmond Hill Road for the first time in living memory. Two halves of twenty minutes proved to be more than long enough with WHOBA Chairman, Jeremy Thorton (1981) overseeing proceedings while the Headmaster (1984) and a small crowd of spectators looked on. Mr Callum Williamson (Head of PE and Games) put in a brief appearance armed with a coffee before flying out to Australia for Easter.

Inevitably, the game proved to be an open affair with Bhogal intent of taking on attacking duties only while the rest of the team struggled to cope with the pace and talent of Magwenzi. At half time, the score was level at 2 – 2 with Magwenzi having netted twice against the persevering Thornton in goal. The two goal response had come from Irving and the goal-hanging Bhogal.

The second half proved to be just as tight with Bhogal scoring a second and Cusack managing to benefit from a speculative toe-poke from the half-way line thanks to a little help from Thornton who claimed to be blinded by the sun.

With the score locked at 3 – 3 after full time, there was only one thing for it – a penalty shootout. Some of the players managed to get the ball near the goal but were denied time and again by Oscar Lyttle and Thornton. Finally, the deadlock was broken by Magwenzi but goals from Thornton and Irving sealed victory for The Thomas Thornton V.