Jeff French, 1998 Evergreen High graduate, recently helped his Oxford University Lincoln College soccer team against Worcester, the dominant team in the Oxford League as summarized in the following article written by Freddy Sondheimer in the Friday 9 February Sports Section of the Cherwell24 local newspaper. The writing is British in style, somewhat different than we Yanks may be used to, however quite enjoyable.

As Jeff puts it: "The story below is an article from the local press on my most recent match: a clash against the Oxford titan Worcester. Last term we became the first team to beat them in league play in nearly two years -- and that seems to have angered them as, since they lost to us, they've gone 9-0 outscoring teams 42-4. They're decent. We unfortunately have tanked and are in a tight battle trying to survive relegation -- being 9th in a 10 team league, although only one point separates us from "saftey" and four points from being fourth overall.

The early exchanges were scrappy, as both sides fought tooth and nail for territory on a sloping surface. Passes frequently failed to find their intended target until a long ball chanced its way through to Worcester striker Mike Hobbiss in a dangerous position. He displayed impeccable composure and awareness to square the ball to the onrushing Charlie Sheldon, who volleyed home from close range for the opener. Sheldon's endeavour and skill allowed him to play the feared role of the nuisance with quick feet, and he soon set up Hobbis to cross from a similar position. This time, however, Lincoln goalkeeper Matt Adams made the first of countless eye-catchingly competent catches.

The reprieve was not to last, as within minutes Worcester doubled their advantage. A late challenge from Rich Stock on the unfortunate Matt Roberts led to the latter's early withdrawal, yet the cloud under which he departed held a silver lining for Worcester. Tim Squires' rasping shot from the resultant free kick took a hefty deflection and looped over Adams in an agonising fashion.

The two-nil score-line flattered to deceive as Worcester's defence exuded anxiousness in the face of Lincoln's enterprising front two of Martin Tilbury and Tobias Zech. One of Tilbury's throw-ins caused confusion in the Worcester ranks, which was capitalised upon by Connor Shaw (one of Lincoln's USA players) as he poked in a ray of hope for Lincoln.

Lincoln's resurgence gathered momentum as soon as the second half began, when Zech arrowed over an exquisite pass for the sprinting Tilbury, who thrashed a confident finish into the welcoming net. For the Lincoln team the goal had the desired effect of lifting their game in every area of the pitch. Left-back Eamon McMurray positively dominated proceedings, whilst Paul Clark and Rich Simmonds began to open up the central midfield. When a team has the bit firmly between its teeth, converting territorial dominance into tangible results is crucial, as Lincoln were about to find out. Another of Tilbury's gargantuan throws forged a path unchallenged into the six-yard box where Jeff French (another of Lincoln's players from the USA - hometown Evergreen, Colorado) eagerly completed Lincoln's comeback - a disappointingly soft goal from a Worcester point of view.

Top teams convert disappointment into drive, as Worcester did on this occasion. Instead of shaking heads at their galvanised opponents, Worcester attacked with intent. A long ball was flicked on by Hobbiss, and strike partner Danny Paxton's pace delivered him a chance. Under considerable pressure, Paxton scooped the ball over the onrushing Adams to restore parity. Neither team gave any quarter until the end, maintaining a crunch in the tackle and an eye for a pass which made this game so absorbing."

(The "massive match" ended in a 3-3 tie!)

Larry French is an Evergreen resident and the father of Jeff French.