OIR v AVA

2.30pm 26 November 2022

Middlesex County League, Premier Division
OIR 4 AVA 3 (att 7)

It’s a few weeks since I watched OIR at home in the Somali British Champions League. That game was played at Enfield Grammar School, but the team’s regular home this season is at nearby Enfield College.

I was making a day trip south for family reasons so, with the artificial pitch as good as guaranteeing the match would be on, it seemed an ideal opportunity to tick off OIR’s proper ground.

It proved a good choice, with some great goals and an exciting conclusion. 

OIR looked the better side early on and went into a 2-0 first half lead. AVA pulled one back before half time but a well-worked third home goal, just a minute after the break, re-established OIR's two goal advantage.

It looked like being a comfortable home win, but a lively game became a good one as AVA battled back, first reducing the deficit and then equalising late on.

Just when the visitors appeared to have earned an unlikely point a last minute OIR goal settled the outcome, sparking celebrations among the home contingent.

The 3G pitch at Enfield College is typical of its type, being floodlit and enclosed by a high fence. A spectator area runs along most of one side.