Given the opposition, and the general consensus that this cup is a bit of an unwanted distraction, it says a lot about the expectations of the team that we were all disappointed with the final result. With a couple of strong performances pre-season, and the introduction of some new blood to the squad everyone was itching to get the season underway.
Milesy had to make a last minute change to the side, with Milly taking the sensible decision not to risk his dodgy calf. New man Bill stepped in to the starting 11 which also included two more new signings in Al and Neil; all three having already proven themselves to be valuable additions in pre-season.
The full starting eleven looked as follows:
The Oaks started well, with Sharpie, Al and Nathan supplying the main attacking threat. However, it was apparent early on that it was not going to be an easy game for the defence, with the ridiculous policy of not having linesmen meaning you could have no confidence in playing offside. This was made even worse when the eagle-eyed amongst us noticed the ref was wearing a Sutton Sports shirt under his kit. To make matters worse his incontinence pants were obviously hampering his mobility, and he subsequently had to make every decision from the safety of the centre circle.
The Oaks went behind in the first half when Neil was unfortunate to parry a shot straight into the path of an opposition player, who rifled a low shot which went in off the post.
It was not long until The Oaks were back in the match when Nathan "Delap" Kerin hurled in a trademark long throw which was met at the back post by Sharpie, who opened his goal-scoring account for the season.
1-1 soon became 2-1, when the opposition number 10 was allowed to meet a diagonal ball and slot in with ease at the back post. The Oaks were now on the back foot, and a neat volley finish by the same number 10 (you're right Deano - he really was doggy do-do) made the score 3-1 at the break.
The two fit(ish) subs Aaron and Jimmy came on at the start of the second half, replacing Bill and Parker respectively (the latter needing to get back to his Donkey World apparently - we've got to get that photo on here!). The second half saw a 13th man added to the opposition's side, with mother nature playing havoc with our vision. They looked to take advantage of this by peppering shots at our goal, one of which Neil was only able to parry into the path of an on-rushing Sutton player who made the score 4-1.
The game was not over by any means, and a good attacking run and rasping shot from Aaron resulted in a corner which Sutton failed to clear, and Deano smartly slotted home at the back post to make the score 4-2 and apparently earn himself a hair cut (?).
First game fitness issues became apparent in the last 15 minutes, and Sutton always looked the more likely to score, which they duly did when efforts of Neil, the cross-bar (twice) and Eye-ball could only result in the ball being bundled over the line.
So 5-2; a disappointing result, but an encouraging first performance of the season which will hopefully give everyone some confidence going into the first league game next week.
Eye-Ball
Next Game : Sun 5th Oct - 10.30 KO Vs Belhus Park Ath @Lakeside (between M&S and Ann Summers)
Goal Scoring Chart
