Sports: Report - Men's Football 2021/22

For the Ms (Merton and Mansfield) this season, things may at first glance look pretty similar to the last season. We once again finished mid table and also again lost to our nemesis St Hugh’s in cuppers. Yet that isn’t the full picture of what this team has achieved. We got the season off to a flyer and were very much challenging for the title throughout the first half of the season. Our team looked as strong as any other in the league, only let down by the fact that clearly a lot of the team cares about their degree. This was particularly highlighted in our game against Lincoln where we only fielded 9 players, with two being last minute transfers from elsewhere. The season was filled with ups and downs, some personal highlights were the 1-1 draw against St Hilda’s and the 3-0 win against University College. Frustrating as it was only to get a draw, the game would have been a treat to watch with end-to-end action and the whole team dug in and battled together to share the points against eventual league winners, St Hilda’s. After losing 2-0 to them at home, going away to University College could have been a tough game but throughout, the Ms dominated and showed the great quality we possess despite having a number of players missing for that game.

It was cuppers that showcased the true strength of our team, where we turned in two extraordinary performances against opposition from much higher divisions to advance to the quarter-finals. Firstly, against Exeter who finished 2nd in the top division, and we beat 2-1. Then in the second round we had the ‘easier’ task of Balliol who play in the second highest division, whom we beat 3-1. Then in the quarter-finals, playing on a pitch comparable to a cabbage patch, against a team that turned out to feature some Hugh’s alumnus, clearly with no greater achievement under their belt than being able to get into a college football team at the age of 25, we narrowly lost 2–1. It was an unfortunate end to what was likely one of the strongest teams we have been able to field these past couple of years.

Honestly, it has been an absolute honour to be able to captain all you lads this year and I would like to thank all the players and everybody else involved with the team. I’d particularly like to thank William Wickstead for running the second team and his service to the Ms across his time at Oxford. For those players for whom this was their last season, best of luck for the future and thank you for your contribution to the Ms. I can’t wait to see what the next season has in store for us.

Alex Selby (2021, Mansfield) and Josh Soanes (2021, Mansfield)

Football Co-Presidents 2022-23

This year marked the return of competitive 11-a-side college football in Oxford following a year’s absence as a result of the pandemic, with the Ms 1st team competing in both the league and in Cuppers.

A return to league action saw us finish fourth with 19 points, establishing ourselves as one of the better footballing sides in the division, perhaps let down slightly by a lack of goals when it mattered. While a loss to a strong St Hugh’s side in Cuppers was a major disappointment, it should not take away from what I believe to be a learning season in which we have developed a playing identity throughout both the 1s and 2s.

There was also a relative degree of success in the 5-a-side Cuppers tournament, in which both our teams made it to the knockout stages.

Although we face losing some key players from the group at the end of the year, I am confident we have set a solid foundation for Alex Selby, Josh Soanes (both Mansfield, 2021) and Will Wickstead (2019) to build upon next year.

I would like to say a big thanks to everyone who wore an Ms (or rather OUAFC Old Boys) shirt this season, with special mentions to Kieran Wetherick (2020) for overseeing the 2s this season, Ollie Harding (Mansfield, 2018), Harry Morrison (Mansfield, 2019) and Joe Hyland Deeson (2018).

Further thanks must go to Adam Austin (Mansfield, 2018), who has organised all college football this year and has provided us with kit from OUAFC throughout the season, and to our groundsman James Lisle, who has made sure we’ve always had a pitch to play on even when he’s not expected us.To everyone moving on this year I wish you the best, it’s been a pleasure.
 
Euan Vosper (Mansfield, 2020)
MMAFC Captain 2021-22

The Mighty Ms 2s had a season to remember. As Ronan Keating once said: ‘Life is a rollercoaster,’ and this is certainly true of our season. Entering our first season in the top division of reserves football, avoiding relegation was the aim. This is the story of how a ragtag bunch of underdogs achieved that against all the odds. Strap in …

2pm. A cold, drizzly day in Michaelmas 2021. A new captain, a new season, a renewed sense of hope which soon took a beating. As the ten men of Merton and Mansfield walked on to the pitch to face Jesus in the first game of the season, they knew they would be up against it. A man down against the best team in the division? Could they do it?

After the sixth goal went in, and the captain left to be sick from ‘too many oranges’, the answer was a resounding ‘probably not’. That disappointing result was not the start any team would hope for. Indeed, any other team in this great league we call the Oxford Men’s Reserves Division 1 would have given up. But not these likely lads. Mertonians (and Mansfielders) are made of sterner stuff.

The comeback started through wins against St John’s and Hertford. The manner of those victories is irrelevant. These crucial points meant that Merton faced Teddy Hall in 7th Week of Hilary knowing a victory would secure top-flight football for another year. All the hard work had come down to this. All the wintery afternoons, gruelling training sessions and Bridge Thursdays.

As the rain poured down onto that hallowed grass at the Pav, once more it was ten, not the typical eleven, who donned the shirt. But to those ten, this meant more than your average game. They knew what was at stake. ‘Spears shall be shaken, shields shall be splintered, a sword-day, a red day, ere the sun rises.’ And boy did they perform.

With two goals from centre-back George Adams (2020), and contributions from talisman Trajan Halvorsen (2020) and veteran Nick Ridpath (2015), the boys left that day 5-0 winners. They were staying up. Champagne and power pints were had in abundance that night, and we live to fight another day.

Finally, old scores were settled as the traditional Merton vs Mansfield Exhibition Match™ returned. It goes without saying that Merton walked out winners, despite the chat from Mansfield. Heart and desire triumphed over their fancy footwork. Even Ben Crossley chipped in with a goal.

Here ends the story of one hell of a season. Special thanks to all our finalists leaving us this year. Especially to former captain Joe Hyland Deeson for four years of blood, sweat and tears. A charismatic and courageous left back who never turned down a hearty slide tackle. His contributions on and off the pitch will be sorely missed. Also, to another former captain Nick Ridpath, who has given nearly a decade of service to the team – we are pretty sure he is the all-time JCR football top scorer. In the words of Pep Guardiola: ‘We cannot replace them.’

Many thanks also to Euan Vosper who led the 1st team to a similarly eventful season; his dedication and tactical nous were second to none.

Furthermore, and most importantly, we wouldn’t even be able to play if it weren’t for the amazing work of our groundsman James. A big thank you from all the lads for all you do for us.

Bring on next season and good luck to our incoming captains.

Kieran Wetherick (2020)
MMAFC Reserves Captain 2021-22