Wednesday night saw the first game for the Rep. team for a few months, indeed the first game most of the players have had for a while. On a cold and windy night the lack of match practice showed as the SOL went 1-0 down in under a minute when they were caught on the break.

After this setback the SOL were soon into their stride with Jamie Orr and Michael Harris combining well on the right hand side. Kevin Jones, looking sprightly up front, was unlucky not to get on the end of a couple of testing crosses.

The introduction of Steve Hair gave more stability to the midfield allowing Steve Hurd and Neil Gillard to push forward creating problems. However, they could not find the opening required despite debutante Peter Eguae going close in the last minute of the half and they turned around 1-0 down.

The second half started much more brightly for the SOL and they were soon into their stride with the midfield starting to run the game. However, it took a piece of superb individual skill to level the scores – a foul on Jones gave the SOL a free-kick 25 yards out and up stepped Jay Ozcan to sublimely clip the ball over the wall and into the net with the keeper rooted to the spot.

The back three of Henry, Cancello and Holt looked much more solid in the second half marshalling the Stock Exchange strike force well but just as it looked as though the SOL would take control they found themselves 2-1 down. This seemed to knock them off course as the Stock Exchange got on top and only some last ditch defending by the back three prevented them increasing their lead.

With 20 minutes left the SOL began to get on top again. Playing some excellent flowing football with Hausermann looking dangerous wide on the right they went close on a number of occasions. The scores were finally levelled through Peter Eguae managing to hook the ball over the keeper after some excellent work from Steve Hurd and they looked odds-on to win the game. However, they were guilty of missing some excellent chances to win the game and the game ended all square.

This was a good work out for the side and also saw the introduction of some new players adding to the strength of the squad before next month’s big game against the SAL at Wingate & Finchley. The difference between this and the previous game against was chalk and cheese, and a great testament to the efforts of manager Sven-Goran Grey!

SOL Team. Top Row: left to right: Darren Hausermann (Mill Hill Village,captain), Neil Gillard (UCL Academicals), Ciro Cancello (Old Woodhouseians), Joe Henry (Old Woodhouseians), Michael Harris (Hale End), Jay Ozcan (Hale End Athletic), Steve Hurd (Mill Hill Village), Chris Grey (Old Woodhouseians, manager). Front Row: Kevin Jones (Mill Hill Village), Jamie Orr (Hale End), Reuben Skidmore (Hale End Athletic), Duncan Holt (Hale End Athletic), Steve Hair (UCL Academicals),  Peter Eguae (Southgate County).