Oaks Athletic 2 - 2 Greyhound

If you believe the numbers Greyhound would have been overwhelming favourites to win this game; before this game they had only lost 3 times and still had an outside chance of winning the league. Compare this to The Oaks who had lost 7 times, and could only finish 4th at best if they won the last two games. You might then expect that not only would Greyhound be hungrier for the win, but that The Oaks may have been resided to defeat before the whistle had even been blown. However, this isn’t a mindset that exists amongst The Oaks faithful, who are playing with a desire and belief that belie the stats. This was evident today through the mixed feelings of satisfaction and disappointment at the end of this game; satisfaction for an excellent performance, but disappointment at not gaining the additional two points we felt we deserved.

With Captain Stu still on the injury list Nathan once again took the arm-band, and after being exhausted by an extra length in the warm-up an unchanged side from the previous week took to the field:

ppppppppppppppParker (GK)

ppDeano (RB) Milly (CB) Rob (CB) Eye-Ball (LB)

pNathan (RM) Al (CM) Gollum (CM) (c) Aaron (LM)

pppppppppppJamie (CF) Sharpy (CF)

Subs: Jimmy, Bill

We were assigned the same ref as last week, and fortunately he turned up this time and the game kicked off on time. Greyhound are obviously a good footballing side, but it was also clear that they try to use their physical presence to intimidate and disrupt the opposition. This may work against some of the teams in this league, but is not a tactic that is going to work against The Oaks; we more than matched them when competing for the ball and didn’t give them any time to settle. Although, having said this, Sharpy possible could have picked on someone else rather than the biggest player on the pitch – he does love a challenge.

If Greyhound hadn’t expected such a hard fought match, they definitely didn’t expect to go behind, which they duly did half way through the first half. We can all remember what it’s like to be the young newbie in the team (OK some of us remember), when you want to show you can hold your own with the big guys, but you invariably learn some valuable lessons. Greyhound’s young winger definitely learnt a lesson today (although I doubt he’ll heed it): that people in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones. He’s just lucky that Milly only communicated this message verbally, although I suspect this was all that was needed and the next time we play he won’t show such petulance if Milly beats him to the ball. A similar incident when the youngster was beaten to the ball by Eye-Ball gave The Oaks the free-kick that lead to The Oaks first goal. Aaron whipped in an outswinging cross that eluded the defence and was met by Sharpy at the back post to tuck away. Sharpy has admitted that he may have inadvertently controlled the ball with his hand, but then what the ref doesn’t see doesn’t count: 1-0.

This goal gave us an extra impetus, and we were unfortunate not to go two up when the keeper called to collect a trademark Nathan long throw, but completely misjudged the flight to allow Rob to rise well and head home at the back post. However, this time the ref saw something none of the rest of us did and awarded a free kick.

We were then hit a hammer blow when Jamie paid the price for not joining in the pre-match warm up and pulled his groin. This meant a quick re-shuffle with Al moving upfront and Jimmy coming on to partner Gollum in the middle. Although we took a little time to settle again we were able to weather a mini storm, with Parker coming quickly off his line on more than one occasion to clear the danger and making a good save at the feet of the striker.

Before half time The Oaks gained further reward for their efforts when Nathan speared a throw to the near post that was not dealt with by Greyhound and was poked in by one of their own players under pressure from Sharpy. If only he’d known Sharpy can’t score from one yard. 2:0.

We went out for the second half knowing that Greyhound would commit extra men forward, but that they would also try to wind us up in the hope that we would make life easier for them. We continued to cope pretty well with their attacking threat, and even created some really good chances to finish off the game.

Unfortunately Greyhound were handed a life line when the ball fell to one of their players following a long throw, who managed to thread the ball through the crowded box and into the net. 2-1.

The equaliser came with about 15 minutes to go when some scrappy play around the area led to Parker having to push out a looping ball at the back post under pressure, only for it to fall straight onto the head of a Greyhound player. At this point we were starting to tire, and were probably the most likely to concede the third goal. However, we were denied a great opportunity when it seemed everyone – Oaks, Greyhound and Ref! – were in agreement that Sharpy had been illegally felled in the area, only for the Ref to wave play on. Apparently he was hoping to re-align his karma having realised Sharpy’s first goal should have been disallowed. This didn’t help us much, and in the end we had to settle for a 2-2 draw.

This was a great performance, and it was fantastic to see the commitment and desire from all in the squad despite it being the penultimate game of a long and tough season. Well played everyone and let’s finish off in style.

Eye-Ball

Next Match – v Greyhound away @ Blackshots– Date to be confirmed.

Goal Scoring Chart

Oaks Athletic 3 – 1 Belhus Park Athletic

Today’s victory was The Oaks third in a row, which guaranteed them 5th spot in the league. It has been a very successful season so far, and one which we are all really enjoying (even Milesy!). We’ve got two games left in which to make it even better (win, lose or draw).

These two teams last met back in October in the first game of the season (which feels like a very long time ago), when The Oaks out-played their opponents but were denied all three points by two late goals. They had waited a long time for revenge, and had to wait longer than expected due to a no-show by the referee. Some speculated that he may have forgotten to put his clocks forward, but the fact he didn’t turn up at all suggests he may have actually put them back! However, we were fortunate that one of the opposition substitutes had access to a ref’s top and a whistle, and stepped in to enable the game to go ahead.

Nathan skippered the side in place of the injured Stu, and Milesy picked the following starting 11:

ppppppppppppppParker (GK)

ppDeano (RB) Milly (CB) Rob (CB) Eye-Ball (LB)

pNathan (RM) Al (CM) Gollum (CM) (c) Aaron (LM)

pppppppppppJamie (CF) Sharpy (CF)

Subs: Jimmy, Bill

The delayed start didn’t seem to affect The Oaks, who started really positively; dominating both possession and chances. The reward for this good start didn’t take long to arrive as Rob rose well from a Nathan long throw to head the ball into the top corner: 1:0.

The problem with nicknames is that some people (especially those who weren’t there when it was earned) need convincing that the nickname is truly deserved. Eye-Ball left no one in doubt that this moniker was well earned as he picked up his latest facial injury: this time a nice golf ball implant below the left eye thanks to a collision when going for a header – at least I won the ball (I think).

It seems that mild concussion can be contagious, as the whole team seemed to lose the early sharpness as the half wore on. We were still the better team with the ball in possession, but gave Belhus too many opportunities from free kicks, corners and throw-ins in our own half. Belhus were unlucky not to have the chance to bring the scores level from the spot, when Deano handled the ball in the area. The ref’s inexcusable error also meant that Eye-Ball still holds the position as top penalty conceder (not that I’m bitter).

The Oaks may have got away with this decision, but didn’t get any help from the ref when they failed to close down and defend a cross which was smartly headed home by Belhus: 1-1. This was the last action of the half and left The Oaks frustrated not to go into half time in front.

Stu may not have been leading the team on the pitch, but his constructive words at half time were well received, and seemed to do the trick as The Oaks started the second half much better than they had ended the first. Everyone increased the work-rate, with Nathan leading by example in both attack and defence. Al is also striving in his new central midfield position; with Jamie partnering Sharpy upfront now when Al picks up the ball in midfield he has two willing targets rather than one.

It was vital that we got the next goal, and Sharpy once again showed why he is leading goal scorer when he latched onto a perfect low cross from Nathan and hit the bouncing ball first time into the bottom corner. This was a really good finish and fortunately it wasn’t an easy chance: 2-1.

You could have the memory of a gold fish and still remember that a one goal lead has rarely been sufficient, especially with still 20 minutes to go. This was evident in The Oaks approach, which was to push on for the third goal rather than sit on the one goal advantage. This approach paid off when Jamie expertly took the ball down off a combination of his chin and shoulder, and unleashed a rasping shot that the keeper could only parry into the path of Al, who showed Sharpy how to finish from 2 yards: 3-1.

Belhus Park Ath were now almost beaten, but the last thing we wanted to do was raise their spirits by giving away a sloppy goal, and I’m happy to say I don’t need to describe how we held out for the last 10 min. We finished the half as strongly as we had started it, to earn a much deserved 3 points, and justice was done – and boy was it sweet.

Eye-Ball

Next Game: Sunday 5th April, 10:30 v Greyhound @ Home.

Goal Scoring Chart:

Corrections

Oaks 5 - 2 Concept B

I now know the team was as follows:

pppppppppppppppBill (GK)

ppDeano (RB) Milly (CB) Rob (CB) Jimmy (LB)

pNathan (RM) Al (CM) Stu (CM) (c) Aaron (LM)

pppppppppppJamie (CF) Sharpy (CF)

Special mention must be made for Bill who made his maiden appearance in goal, and only conceded 2.

Aaron scored 2, Jamie scored 2, and Stu scored 1.

Rec Rovers 5 - 6 Oaks Athletic

As expected I got my knickers in a twist last week, which I think is understandable given 11 goals were scored during the game. The goal from Al's cross that I awarded to Jamie was actually scored by Nathan, and Jamie got his second when he latched onto an unsuccessful attempt from Rob.

Eye-Ball

Rec Rovers 5 - 6 Oaks Athletic

In theory winning a game of football is easy: just score one more goal than the other team. They score none, you score one; they score one, you score two; they score five you score 6. OK, so a simple equation can soon become complicated, and The Oaks didn’t exactly make it easy for themselves on this sunny Sunday morning at Belhus Park.

Like so many times this season Milesy had the luxury of 14 players from which to select his starting line up, and he opted for the following team:

ppppaaaaaaaaaaaaaNNeil (GK)

pppDeano (RB) Rob (CB) Milly (CB) Eye-Ball (LB)

pNathan (RM) Al (CM) Stu (CM) (c) Aaron (LM)

ppppaaaaaaaaaaaJamie (CF) Sharpy (CF)

subs: Parker, Gollum, Bill

It had been three weeks since The Oaks last played, and it definitely showed as they struggled to find first gear in the opening exchanges, and were soon behind thanks to a deflected shot from their dangerous number 6 (don’t worry Rob, definitely not an o.g.).

This woke the Oaks up a bit, and they were soon back on level terms when Sharpy found himself through on goal and supplied a neat finish from 8 yards. Next came the first of two own goals (or the only one depending on who you talk to), as The Oaks were beaten at their own game; a long throw into the six yard box was met by Al who cleared in the wrong direction and left Neil no chance. 2-1 to Rec Rovers (I hope you’re keeping up).

The Oaks have shown what an effective and direct passing side they can be, and once they remembered this the benefits were clear to see. No more so than when Captain Stu finished off a slick passing move with a delightful ball into Jamie who was never going to miss when through on goal with only the keeper to beat: 2-2.

Having twice come from behind, The Oaks now took the lead for the first time when Al whipped a low ball to the back post and Jamie was once again perfectly place to put the ball past the helpless Rec keeper: 3-2.

I should at this point mention that The Oaks could easily have gone in to half time three goals up rather than one if one of our number hadn’t put a header over from 1 yard and manage to smash the ball straight into the keeper’s face with the whole goal was at his mercy. I’m not going to mention any names, but you must admire the fact that this guy has scored 19 goals when he can’t put away the easy ones.

Rec Rovers must have had something stronger in their water at half-time, as they once again looked to put The Oaks under pressure from the off. The scores were soon back level as Rec scored one of the goals of the game with one player starting and finishing a move with a good header from a left-wing cross: 3-3.

Having had to mentally capture 6 goals up to this point, I must admit that the following period is a little hazy – I blame it on my lung bursting runs that starved my brain of oxygen (I really should learn to multi-task). I do know that The Oaks went 4-3 up and that Nathan scored the goal (sorry Nathan, you’ll have to remind me what happened).

At this point Gollum was bought on for the injured Stu, Parker came on for Neil and Bill replaced Aaron. Gollum’s orders were to sit in front of the defence and break up any attacks; but, to be honest, Neil could have parked his No. 11 bus in-front of the goal and we still would have conceded. This time we were punished for failing to clear the ball from a set piece. 4-4.

I’ll have to leave it to Milesy to decide whether Nathan should be credited with the next goal, but from where I was standing it looked like the defender leathered the ball into the bottom corner in attempting to cut out a cross: 5-4.

There were now only 2 minutes remaining, and the Oaks went 5 at the back in a desperate attempt to keep hold of a lead for only half the time it takes to boil an egg. Unfortunately one extra man in defence could do nothing about the dipping shot from 40 yards that left parker wishing the Mansfield stewards had thrown him out of the country and not just the ground 5:5!

I think that the majority of us had lost the will to live at this point, but fortunately Nathan and Jamie weren’t prepared to give up so easily. The last of many bursting runs from Nathan earned a corner, which he swung over quickly to the back post much to the annoyance of the advancing defenders who wanted to get in the box for one last attempt at being near the ball when it went it at the right end! Fortunately Nathan’s quick thinking paid off as he caught all but one fast asleep. That one was Jamie who snuck in at the back post to head the ball into the goal from an impossible angle. 6-5 to the Oaks! It was the perfect way to round off a brilliant hat-trick, and Jamie obviously enjoyed it has he went running off like the 10 year old school girl who’d just had her first kiss.

So to summarise: The Oaks scored one more goal than Rec Rovers and therefore won the game. THE END.

Eye-Ball

Next game: Sun 29th March –v- Belhus Park Athletic @ Home – 10:30 a.m. K.O.

Scoring Chart*:

*Note that the chart has not been updated with goals or appearances from the previous match (I need to get the details of who played from Milesy).

Sun 1st Mar - Oaks Athletic 5 - 2 Concept B

I could tell you about my holiday, but unfortunately not what happened in this match. All you need to know is that Aaron and Jamie scored twice with Nathan getting the other one in a fine victory for the Oaks.

Eye-Ball

Football Manager Live Trailer

This looks cool guys






should start a league!

No match reports for two weeks

I'm off to Barbados tomorrow so will miss all the action for the next two weeks. Good luck lads, and if I can log on to find out the results I will do.

Eye-Ball

Oaks Athletic 1 - 1 & 1 - 2 -v- Kynoch Sports (Double Header)

Kynoch Sports 1 -1 Oaks Athletic

Another week, and another double header; this time away at The Pegasus Club to Kynoch Sports. Two hours of football on a massive pitch, against a youthful side who are definite title contenders would not be top of most of our lists as an enjoyable way to spend a Sunday morning. However, we had already shown earlier in the season that we could compete with them on this ground, when we were narrowly defeated 3-2 in the cup.

M&S hope their new Spring fashion range will appeal to the more discerning gentleman

Milesy decided to start with a 5-3-2 formation, in a hope to squeeze the play in midfield, and included Eye-Ball for his first game in 7 weeks since breaking a big toe (it should be noted at this point that sneezing was the most energetic thing Eye-Ball had done in 5 weeks, and therefore expected to play no more than 60 minutes). However, the return of Eye-Ball was small consolation for missing Al for the first time this season – who injured his foot the week before.

"Hands Up! Baby Hands Up!....." You're singing it to now!

ppppaaaaaaaaaaaaaNNeil (GK)

pppppppppRob (CB) Milly (CB) Stu (LB) (c)
pppDeano (RWB) ppppppppppppppppJason (LWB)

ppppppNathan (RM) Jimmy (CM) Eye-Ball (LM)

ppppaaaaaaaaaaaJamie (CF) Sharpy (CF)

subs: Parker, Gollum, Aaron

The early signs were not good, as The Oaks players spent much of the first half chasing shadows. We struggled to adapt to the new formation, and gave Kynoch far too much time on the ball in which to show off their individual qualities. However, we held on well at the back, and it took a cracking header from a good cross from the right to give Kynoch the lead in the first half.

Simon Cowell wonders if he should be brutally honest and tell Jamie he has as much chance of being the next pop sensation as Parker has of going a week without being abused.

Despite our lack of possession, when we were able to get the ball up to Sharpy and Jamie we looked like creating chances. Jamie, especially, showed his class and should have given The Oaks the equaliser when he finished off a cross superbly on the left side of the box. Unfortunately the spring loaded arm of the Kynoch linesman was raised in response to spotting Sharpy offside. However, he was not interfering with play and the goal should have been allowed to stand.

Having spotted Simon Cowell, Nathan decides to break out the moon-walk

Half time was reached with the score at 1-0. There were understandably a few dejected faces as we left the field; we seemed well out of our depth against a well organised and energetic Kynoch side, and when we had put the ball in the net the goal had been disallowed. The scoreline could have looked a lot worse though if it hadn’t been for a superb goal-line clearance by Milly.

Realising that things just weren’t working Milesy changed the formation and personnel. The Oaks reverted to the more familiar 4-4-2, with Eye-Ball moving to left back, and Gollum coming on to join Stu in the centre of Midfield. Aaron came on to play on the left in place of Jimmy, and Parker replaced Neil (who had a good half) in goal.

The difference was instantly visible; we started competing more for every ball and did not allow Kynoch to gain any momentum. When they did get the ball forward Parker looked confident and assured in claiming the ball and snuffling out the danger.

The referee (the infamous Graham Monk), was handling the game well (as you would expect). However he did seem to get withdrawal symptoms if he had not blown the whistle for a few minutes, and kept blowing up for niggling little fouls – more often than not against the Oaks. However, on one occasion when the decision went our way Stu capitalised on Kynoch’s slowness to re-group and lofted the ball into the area where it was met by Nathan, who deftly headed the ball into the bottom corner. 1-1.

This really brought the game to life, and both sides had good chances to snatch a winner. The match finished 1-1, with The Oaks definitely the happier of the two sides although perhaps a little disappointed to have not got all 3 points.

Oaks Athletic 1 -2 Kynoch Sport

After a quick breather and another bite of the banana The Oaks headed back onto the field to do it all again. Tinkerman Milesy again did a quick bit of squad rotation, which was partly enforced by Milly’s ever-present injury worries. So Eye-Ball moved to right-back, Deano partnered Rob in the centre, Jason came on at left-back and Neil tagged out Parker (hey! Weren’t you guys The Natural Disasters!).

Parker and Neil in the good old days when they had finely tuned bodies and facial hair to die for.

ppppaaaaaaaaaaaaaNNeil (GK)

pppEye-Ball (RB) Rob (CB) Deano (CB) Jason (LB)

pNathan (RM) Gollum (CM) Stu (CM) (c) Aaron (LM)

ppppaaaaaaaaaaaSharpy (CF) Jamie (CF)

subs: Parker, Jimmy, Milly

Like wounded dogs Kynoch bounced back strongly, and it wasn’t long before they took the lead when they cut straight through the centre of the Oaks defence, with the striker finishing coolly.

It could easily have been much worse had it not been for Neil, who was caught out of position when Deano and Eye-ball failed to deal with a low cross into the box. The Kynoch striker had a seemingly easy tap in, but Neil somehow managed to get a strong hand to the ball, diving to his right, and put it behind for a corner. We were also fortunate when the Kynoch winger got clean through and lobbed Neil, only for the ball to come back off the post for Deano to clear.

It's always embarrasing when you forget to remove the coat hanger

The Oaks were really flagging at this point, and got a much needed boost when Sharpy flicked on to Jamie, who then put the ball through for Nathan to run onto one on one with the keeper. We all held our breath as Nathan’s firmly struck shot hit the on-rushing keeper, but fortunately the ball’s momentum carried it on into the net. 1-1.

We then had a great chance to take the lead as the ball fell to Aaron following a fine save to deny Jamie. Unfortunately it fell on Aaron’s considerably weaker right foot, and he was only able to strike the ball onto the crossbar and over for a goal kick. Half time came with the scores yet again level at 1-1.

Parker and Jimmy came on for Neil and Aaron for the second half, and we had made it to the last half hour of this epic encounter. Some players were really starting to feel the burn now (included yours truly – 120 minutes was not quite what I had in mind!), and it was becoming a real war of attrition. Fouls were becoming more frequent, as players were struggling to time tackles and unsurprisingly Parker was required to get us out of jail on more than one occasion.

We held out until the last 10 minutes, when Kynoch earned a corner after Parker saved well from a header. The corner was swung in, Parker flapped and missed – as did the defenders who were in close proximity – and somehow the smallest player on the pitch was able to head the ball (somewhat fortuitously) into the roof of the net.

The Oaks struggled to summon up the energy to respond, but should have been awarded a penalty if a foul had been awarded on Jimmy for a similar type of push which had been consistently punished everywhere else on the pitch. The game finished 2-1, and we limped off disappointed to have not got more points, but happy with the determined performance.

Well played lads, and I hope you’re not hurting as much as I am!

Next Match: Sunday 1st March v Concept B @ Home – 10:30 K.O.

Goal Scoring Chart:

Next Fixture Sunday 22nd February - Correction

Please note that this Sunday's game is at the Pegasus Club. It's a double header.