Low score, high quality: the 2022 New College 2nd XI Memorial Kickabout was a treat for a record crowd at the famous St Cross Road ground on Sunday Sept 4. Despite doom-laden weather forecasts of rain, the September sun kissed the lush sward as always and goalkeeping that bordered on the competent kept the ball out of the nets more often than usual.

The years were rolled back as a former Accrington Stanley player took the eye in midfield, dribbling in circles, head down in oblivion to passing opportunities. Dick Taylor in his pomp was surely reincarnated in the person of Romuald Boco, the Benin winger becoming the fixture’s second international (after Anna Palmer).

Ted Reakes followed up last year’s goal of the game with another controlled half-volley – low this time - into the far corner to open the scoring and custodian Zoran Novakovic was unlucky to concede again when a shot from Reuben Smith took two deflections as defenders closed down fractionally loo late.

Despite Zoran’s half-time change of goalkeeping kit to a classic Gallic-look hooped outfit, it looked all over when another shot from Reakes hit the arm of covering defender N J Szczepanik but rolled just over the line to render penalty claims redundant.

It was an uphill task for the Middleton squad now, especially with A M Palmer in irresistible form once again between the McCann team’s sticks.

But another appeal for a penalty at the other end brought joy, although the kick only found the net at the second attempt after Palmer had saved Boco’s kick.

The trailing team now had its tails up, with J H Reid making a series of key interceptions in midfield. The skipper and Anna Palmer came close to reducing the arrears before another strike from Boco made it 3-2.

The man of the match signed ball went to winger Noah Hickford, 8, for sterling work and a stream of crosses from the right but also his block at a corner-kick that denied Szczepanik’s goal-bound volley with the last kick of the match, deep into added time.

The extra minutes had been added by referee D McD for a votive offering to the river god made during the second half. This year’s starting match ball made the traditional visit to the Cherwell but, for the first time in the fixture’s 23-year history, could not be retrieved.

LAWRENCE MCCANN’S VII: A M Palmer (1972), T Reakes, R Palmer (1970), L McCann, Reggie Smith, Reuben Smith, N Hickford.

HAYDN MIDDLETON’S VIII: Z Novakovic (1974), H K Middleton (1973), N J Szczepanik (1972), J H Reid (1972), R McDonald, J Palmer, Anna Palmer, R Boco.

Referee: D McDonald (1970)

Man of the match: Hickford.

VAR: R E Cockton (1971), J A Hobson (1971)

Attendance: 17 (ground record)

Absent: C G Eyre (1971, unexplained), P Mantin (COVID).

The 2022 Reunion Kickabout

LAWRENCE MCCANN’S VII 3 ,,, HAYDN MIDDLETON’s VIII 2 (HT 2-0)