Wed 16 Jul - 16th July in recent history has been an important date; events on which have usually gone on to change the world and define a generation. In 1945 it was the start of the Atomic Age with the testing of the first ever nuclear bomb. In 1969 it saw the launch of Apollo 11 from Florida which eventually put man on the moon for the first time. And in 1979 it saw the resignation of Hasan Al-Bakr as Iraqi President and the inauguration of Sadam Hussein. The performance of Old Boys last night, sporting their green Thistle Construction kit for the second time against their opponents HSBC, and in their first match since their rite of passage against PWC, was everything that was needed to show the birth of a new age.

Karl Marx tells us that "history does nothing; it does not possess immense riches, it does not fight battles. It is men, real, living, who do all this". We learnt last week that this Old Boys team are now men and the new generation, defined tonight, is one of perseverance, defiance and talent. Having nearly got there in the first season and close in the second, history could show that the Old Boys have never quite cut it when it matters. The history became the driving force and this became a cross to bear. However, this has now changed; the current squad are the driving force and it is the riches of the here and now, the title, that they seek. We can look back and see last week as the catalyst to this new incarnation of Old Boys; a team that is now attracting an increased fan base and growing recognition beyond the Kings Gym stadia. The international make up of the squad is matched by its international fan base; supporters from Europe, Australia, North America and the Caribbean log on to the website www.oldboysfc.com to ensure they are one of the first to be part of the special movement that is reminding people that football is about fun, friendship and the game. This spirit was exemplified several times during the game as HSBC players went to the ground injured and Old Boys voluntarily stopped the game to allow the player to receive the necessary attention.

However, it was clear that the squad tonight, missing the injured Silvester, the vacationing Cummings and Rogers and the suspended Ord, were intent on securing the three points that would make them the only unbeaten team in the division. With what is becoming an often repeated start that unlocks their attacking style, the Old Boys went a goal behind after uncertain defending was capitalised on by a very alert and mobile HSBC attack. The HSBC attack is much lauded and deservedly so with a player who is sure to finish in the top scorer standings this season. Despite this set back and the obvious threat of the HSBC forwards, the free flowing determined style of the Old Boys was epitomised by another well taken goal and the equaliser by Whitaker. Receiving the ball from the 'keeper Whitaker exchanged a quick one two and found himself surging towards the HSBC goal. In a surprise to the squad and the fans watching, instead of relying on his trusted left boot, Whitaker switched to his right and surprised the 'keeper with a well placed shot that went in off the far post.

This started a period of Old Boys dominance that was capped by a fine display of counter-attacking football reminiscent of the glory days of Real Madrid as the ball was swept quickly upfield with support to give a three on one advantage. The experienced Hydes capitalised with a patient and composed finish that put the Old Boys 2-1 up at the break. Missing the regular skipper meant that Comins gave the half time talk. A man of few words, Comins stated what was needed to win. The message was regular substitutions to allow concerted pressure and more shots. However, it was a flat footed restart which the lively HSBC forwards, shackled until then by the defensive combinations of Comins, Roughead, Gardner and Whitaker, used to their advantage. The equaliser came as the forward chased a ball over the top and got there first and then scored with a very well taken finish. Sives, who was impressive all night, was powerless to stop it. Still smiling, the Old Boys realised that they had to demonstrate what their title challenge was all about.

As ever the midfield worked tirelessly; with Shakespeare and Gaffin continually putting the HSBC defence on the back foot, Hydes darting and unlocking whenever he could and O'Connor and Chiazza never giving the opposition time on the ball, the sustained pressure, reinforced by resolute defending meant that something had to give. Disappointingly, the turning point came when Chiazza's calf muscle was the thing to give following another typical chase and block that characterised the Old Boys spirit. The latest news from the Old Boys medical staff is that Chiazza will be receiving further treatment for this troublesome injury and is likely to be out for two to three weeks. Whilst this meant a reduction in playing staff, the forwards stepped forward and delivered.

Ludford-Thomas demonstrated why he was going to be missed for the next few games as he continually probed the HSBC defence and took advantage of the gaps he created to fire off testing shots. Henshaw, always an enigma, showed quickness of feet, if not of running, to intelligently turn defenders and bring others in. However, it was the returning Luciano that got the goals that made the difference. The Italian is always a handful, strong on the ball, quick on the turn and baffling defenders with deft touches and drawing fouls. He scored two well taken and well deserved goals; the first a jinking run down the right was followed with a cut accross the top of box and a left foot strike that beat the dive of the 'keeper who had been solid all night. This was the goal that gave the Old Boys their lead and with three minutes to go they were in no mood to give it up. Luciano made sure with his second of the night a minute later as he found the net with a powerful right footed shot from the right where he was seemingly boxed in.

As the final whistle went it was pleasing to see the Old Boys congratulating other team members on their performance. There was a sense of achievement from a shared responsibilty. They hadn't invented the worlds most powerful weapon, or put a man on the moon, or even instigated a regime that would change a region forever. But they had continued to build their dynasty. Henry Ford stated that "history is more or less bunk. It's tradition. We don't want tradition. We want to live in the present and the only history that is worth a tinker's damn is the history we make today". History was made today but for the Old Boys and their desire to acheive, it is next week that counts and where the hardwork and battles need to continue.