29/10/06: Oaks Athletic 0 Vs Belhus Park 0

Everything was all set for a nice game of football. Nice weather, plenty of grass on the pitch (bit long in places - sort it out Thurrock Council!) and a good turn out of players. There were some decent passing moves in the first half and both teams had some goal scoring chances, but no-one could find the net. Coming closest for the Oaks was Deano, with a header which found the top of the crossbar from a Danny Allen corner. I have to say that it was our final ball into the box that let us down continually throughout the game. If we could improve on this, I believe that we could create far more opportunities for our strikers.
The second half was marred by a confrontation between Sharpy and the opposition's captain. Both of whom were sent off, along with one of the subs from the opposition. This spoilt the game and I didn't expect Sharpy to let everyone down after his pre-season statement: "I'm a changed man, I'm not going to anything like that anymore." His disciplinary record begs to differ.

I want everyone to remember that they are part of a team and as members of that team, you should support each other by being responsible for your actions. The best thing to do, is to think, before the red mist comes down and clouds your judgement. Is continuing to stand after being head-butted instead of going to ground like a sack of shit really going to help the team? Think about it lads. What do we want out of this? Do we want to win games of football? Score goals? Win divisions/leagues/cups? Or have minor scuffles with the opposition every week? If fighting is what you want to do, have a go in the ultimate fighting competitions or something, because I couldn't care less.

'P' Party

Keef is 25 on the 11th of November.... he is having a 'P' Party at his house.

This means fancy dress beginning with the letter P.

Some ideas:
The party is now a P party: Ie something to do with P:
heres a list of examples for the stupid:

Penguin
The Letter P
Pelican
Pink Lady
Phantom Of the Opera
Pigeon
Pirate
Pelican
Period Dress
Priest
Pepper / Sgt Pepper Beatles Costume
Pinnochio
Predator
Pocahontas
Pope
Prisoner
Panto Cow
Punk
Palpatine, Emperor
Pete Docherty
Pathologist
Pussycat
Poindexter
Pudsey
Postman Pat
Pringle
Pervert
Peter Pan
Paramedic
Posh Spice
Pig
pole (poland)
Pilot
Patient
Playboy
Playboy Bunny
Pixie
the Pixies
Pole Dancer
Prostitute
The Police
Poirot
Policeman
Peacock
Present
Pyjama Boy
Prince Charming
Parrot
Panto Horse
Postgrad
Partyboy
Priestess
Pappa Lazarou
Poofter
Pepper, Chilli Pepper costume
Pimp
Porn Star
Penelope Pitstop
Princess
Parker-Bowles
Pregnant
Prince
Princess Leia
Prince Charles
Padme Amidala (Star Wars)

etc
whatever you want.
Bring something 'P' aswell!

Top Scorers 2006/2007

Kenny Graves 1
Jon Horwood 1
Ian Pitney 1
Dean Wright 1

Who would have thought that Ken would be top goal scorer after 5 games eh?

Testing

Just seeing if there is any space left on this blog. There should be. If there isn't I'm gonna go and get my shotgun and kick up a stink!

22/10/06: Berman 1 Vs Oaks Athletic 1

Berman took the game to us in the first half, having the lion's share of the possession. We managed to net a goal with our first corner, which was taken by Danny Allen. Dan whipped it into the near post for Super Sharpy to head home his first goal of the season. Some of the lads pointed out to me after the game that the ball may not have been struck by Sharpy, more like Sharpy was struck by the ball! Nevertheless, it doesn't matter how they go in, as long as the go in. About five minutes before half time, Berman equalised with a soft goal from a long throw that should have been dealt with. For the next 45 minutes, we defended well and showed a lot of character to battle through the half and earn a point. Admittedly our attacking and simple passing was severely lacking, but this did help us drag them down to our level on the day. One can only hope that our lads remember how to pass and move next sunday...

We are at home on Sunday 29/10/06 at Blackshots against Belhus Park.

Parker Watch: Kept very busy by the opposition, caught well throughout the game.
Danny Allen Watch: Injured towards the end of the match, ice it up!
Shaggy Watch: Came on at half time and bolstered up the defence, "Nice One Shaggy, Nice One Son, Nice One Shaggy, Go Kick another one!"
Herman Watch: Please come to training on tuesdays mate, nuff said.

Tuesday night training

I was very disappointed with the turn-out last Tuesday night (only seven, and only six the first week) and I am hoping for a few more people to turn up this coming Tuesday.
Having said that, it was a good hour-long workout for the lads who did come along (both weeks) and I like to think that they all took something away with them to think about and/or work on. I would also like to thank them for really putting it in for the full hour.

Just to finalize the cost of the sports hall, here are the details:

Initial block booking of 4 weeks: £140 (140/4= £35)

Up front payment of £10 from each player who wants to train split into 4 weeks of £2.50

If there is a similar turn-out this week, then we'll have to look into cancelling the sports hall or increasing the cost for those who do come along - I will take votes tonight if this is the case.

The match is at Palmer's college this sunday 22/10/06

Oaks Athletic 2 Vs Essex Wanderers 4

The opening goal of the match was simply a 'hair-flick' by the Oaks Captain from a Danny Allen throw-in. The opposition stretched the Oaks team and scored an equalizer, and then another before half time. The match was closely fought until around the 70 minute mark when Essex Wanderers scored another two goals in about five minutes. Unfortunately, Deano's late goal could only be seen as a consolation goal in the scheme of things. It's a shame because it was a great team-move with lots of inter-passing, build up play and in Deano's case, running off the ball. The Referee was much improved on past performances, getting 99% of his decisions right. He did say to me before the match that he had been re-trained during the summer months and that it had... changed him. Suggestions that there was an operation involved are just speculation. The league and the F.A. will be pleased though, as he booked six of the opposition for dissent toward the referee (Rumour has it that a percentage of the fines collected are used to fund a referee's piss-up each year - nice). Credit to our lads for being early and putting the goals up and also for staying disciplined throughout the match. Let's hope that we can have more players available for selection at the next match, and give the gaffer a selection-headache, maybe for the first time!

Chrissy Andrews Watch
Suspicion that Parker had left some butter on the goalie gloves

Johnny C. Watch
Before the game it was un-earthed that he was infact... Shaggy who used to play for Graceland !!!

Top scorers

Jonny Homebase 1
Deano Wright 1
Kenny Graves 1