Last week I had the pleasure of describing Gollum’s first goal in 2 years, and today it was only the width of the crossbar which prevents me from writing of the end of an even longer goal drought – mine! I did score once when playing Under 14 football, but apart from that I haven’t managed a goal (not counting those at the wrong end) in an eleven aside match. This isn’t a big issue, and as long as Sharpy and co. keep banging them in I’m more than happy to stick to my job of helping to stop them going in at the other end. That said, we might need to start looking for a replacement No. 9 given our top scorer’s bizarre attempt to get an earlier-than-planned trip to Oz – someone could have told him it takes at least 5 weeks to get there by boat!
Manager Milesy is having to earn his money lately, as he once again had to change the team for this encounter. Milly was on family duty, and Bill was also absent. Captain Stu and Kieron did return, and the following side was named to start the game:
ppppaaaaaaaaaaaaaNNeil (GK)
pppParker (RB) Rob (CB) Deano (CB) Eye-Ball (LB)
pNathan (RM) Gollum (CM) Stu (CM) (c) Kieron (LM)
ppppaaaaaaaaaaaAl (CF) Sharpy (CF)
subs: Aaron, Jimmy
After a few tough games on the bounce this was game which – on paper – we felt we should win. However we really did not start well, and the only time I can recall a pass going where it was meant to was when I threw the ball to Nathan, after one of the numerous times I had to collect the ball from the other side of Blackshots Field. The only noteworthy incident of the first half was a very dubious penalty awarded to Concept following an apparent “push” by Deano on their small centre forward. The penalty was converted, and The Oaks went into half time 1 – 0 down.
I say that there was only one noteworthy incident of the first half, but I suppose I should mention the “lover’s tiff” between Sharpy and Nathan following one failed attempt to link up, with the dialogue going something like:
Nathan: “What are you doing running over there you infuriating halfwit?”
Sharpy: “I always run over there! How long have we been together, and you don’t know anything about me! And Halfwit! That’s rich coming from someone who thought that the sum of two fractions equals the sum of the numerator of the two fractions divided by the sum of the corresponding denominators!”
Nathan: “I do know that someone will be bathing alone tonight, and if you think I’m letting you use my loofah you’ve got another thing coming”
Sharpy: “Suits me fine. If you want to be the only one who cleans the toilet I’m not going to complain”.
Nathan: “…”
Following some far more constructive discussions during the half time interval, we took to the field for the second half determined to put in a better performance. We certainly achieved this, and started to play like the Oaks that had been so impressive in recent weeks. We defended from the front, and didn’t give our opponents time to settle on the ball. We also sorted out our passing, and our offence quartet of Kieron, Sharpy, Al and Nathan started to link up much more affectively.
It wasn’t long before we were back on level terms, and it was fitting that Nathan – who had been terrorising the Concept left back since the half began – should get his first goal of the season, when he game inside and slotted home inside the right-hand post with his weaker left foot.
The Oaks weren’t going to be happy settling for a draw, and with 15 minutes left to play it took another intervention from the referee to give us a golden opportunity to take the lead. Again Nathan was involved, as he made a run into the area, and just got to the ball before the onrushing keeper who could only upend Nathan and concede the penalty. Despite Deano reassuring members of the opposition that we don’t score penalties, Sharpy stepped up to calmly slot home from the compulsory 12 yards and consequently take the lead at the top of the scoring charts. Some of us were slightly concerned that he might aim for the corner flag rather than the goal given that he had previously shown a genuine phobia of shooting at goal despite making himself a quilt edge opening with a sublime turn.
At 2-1 The Oaks were comfortable, and Neil didn’t have a save to make. He is quickly becoming a commanding presence behind the back four, and the dealt with Concept’s long ball tactics with ease. We starting creating more chances, and Deano was particularly unlucky (and vocally disappointed) to see a well guided header from a corner cleared off the line.
Now we come to Eye-Ball’s “nearly” goal, which I have been given permission to describe in great detail. It was inevitable that Concept would commit more bodies forward in an attempt to find an equaliser, and when Kieron picked up the ball on the half way line Eye-Ball looked to exploit the space down the left wing. The ball was played over the top by the aforementioned Left Winger, and Eye-Ball gave chase, out-jumping the defenders who looked to snuff out the danger, and holding off the challengers as he advanced into the area. With the ball still bouncing, and the danger of being muscled off the ball being imminent, Eye-Ball stuck out the (un)trusty right boot and lifted the ball over the advancing keeper.
“This is it” I thought, “my first goal for The Oaks. How should I celebrate? Nathan’s already done the cartwheel (although that was pretty naff), so I’ll go for gyrating at the corner flag – the one that isn’t lying on the floor would probably be best”.
Unfortunately I didn’t bank on the below-regulation height goals at Blackshots (I will have a tape measure with me next week), and as the ball re-bounded off the cross bar I could only pick myself up and retreat back to the left back position. On the plus side, Concept failed to clear the ball as well as the crossbar had, and Nathan was able to double his goal tally with a blistering rising shot that gave the keeper no chance.
It was a relief to get the third goal; although we should have been able to defend the one goal lead, you just never know! It’s just a shame we didn’t finish off the game earlier. Because we were playing well, but didn’t score the third goal until late in the game, Milesy really couldn’t change the team, and as a consequence Jimmy and Aaron didn’t get a run out today. However they both showed a real team mentality (as always), and will get the chances their loyalty deserves.
Well played today everyone, and let’s make sure this is our first win of many in the league.
Eye-Ball
Next game: Sun 2nd Nov 10.30 K.O. vs Rec Rovers @ Blackshots (we’re at home so get there early to put up nets)
Manager Milesy is having to earn his money lately, as he once again had to change the team for this encounter. Milly was on family duty, and Bill was also absent. Captain Stu and Kieron did return, and the following side was named to start the game:
ppppaaaaaaaaaaaaaNNeil (GK)
pppParker (RB) Rob (CB) Deano (CB) Eye-Ball (LB)
pNathan (RM) Gollum (CM) Stu (CM) (c) Kieron (LM)
ppppaaaaaaaaaaaAl (CF) Sharpy (CF)
subs: Aaron, Jimmy
After a few tough games on the bounce this was game which – on paper – we felt we should win. However we really did not start well, and the only time I can recall a pass going where it was meant to was when I threw the ball to Nathan, after one of the numerous times I had to collect the ball from the other side of Blackshots Field. The only noteworthy incident of the first half was a very dubious penalty awarded to Concept following an apparent “push” by Deano on their small centre forward. The penalty was converted, and The Oaks went into half time 1 – 0 down.
I say that there was only one noteworthy incident of the first half, but I suppose I should mention the “lover’s tiff” between Sharpy and Nathan following one failed attempt to link up, with the dialogue going something like:
Nathan: “What are you doing running over there you infuriating halfwit?”
Sharpy: “I always run over there! How long have we been together, and you don’t know anything about me! And Halfwit! That’s rich coming from someone who thought that the sum of two fractions equals the sum of the numerator of the two fractions divided by the sum of the corresponding denominators!”
Nathan: “I do know that someone will be bathing alone tonight, and if you think I’m letting you use my loofah you’ve got another thing coming”
Sharpy: “Suits me fine. If you want to be the only one who cleans the toilet I’m not going to complain”.
Nathan: “…”
Following some far more constructive discussions during the half time interval, we took to the field for the second half determined to put in a better performance. We certainly achieved this, and started to play like the Oaks that had been so impressive in recent weeks. We defended from the front, and didn’t give our opponents time to settle on the ball. We also sorted out our passing, and our offence quartet of Kieron, Sharpy, Al and Nathan started to link up much more affectively.
It wasn’t long before we were back on level terms, and it was fitting that Nathan – who had been terrorising the Concept left back since the half began – should get his first goal of the season, when he game inside and slotted home inside the right-hand post with his weaker left foot.
The Oaks weren’t going to be happy settling for a draw, and with 15 minutes left to play it took another intervention from the referee to give us a golden opportunity to take the lead. Again Nathan was involved, as he made a run into the area, and just got to the ball before the onrushing keeper who could only upend Nathan and concede the penalty. Despite Deano reassuring members of the opposition that we don’t score penalties, Sharpy stepped up to calmly slot home from the compulsory 12 yards and consequently take the lead at the top of the scoring charts. Some of us were slightly concerned that he might aim for the corner flag rather than the goal given that he had previously shown a genuine phobia of shooting at goal despite making himself a quilt edge opening with a sublime turn.
At 2-1 The Oaks were comfortable, and Neil didn’t have a save to make. He is quickly becoming a commanding presence behind the back four, and the dealt with Concept’s long ball tactics with ease. We starting creating more chances, and Deano was particularly unlucky (and vocally disappointed) to see a well guided header from a corner cleared off the line.
Now we come to Eye-Ball’s “nearly” goal, which I have been given permission to describe in great detail. It was inevitable that Concept would commit more bodies forward in an attempt to find an equaliser, and when Kieron picked up the ball on the half way line Eye-Ball looked to exploit the space down the left wing. The ball was played over the top by the aforementioned Left Winger, and Eye-Ball gave chase, out-jumping the defenders who looked to snuff out the danger, and holding off the challengers as he advanced into the area. With the ball still bouncing, and the danger of being muscled off the ball being imminent, Eye-Ball stuck out the (un)trusty right boot and lifted the ball over the advancing keeper.
“This is it” I thought, “my first goal for The Oaks. How should I celebrate? Nathan’s already done the cartwheel (although that was pretty naff), so I’ll go for gyrating at the corner flag – the one that isn’t lying on the floor would probably be best”.
Unfortunately I didn’t bank on the below-regulation height goals at Blackshots (I will have a tape measure with me next week), and as the ball re-bounded off the cross bar I could only pick myself up and retreat back to the left back position. On the plus side, Concept failed to clear the ball as well as the crossbar had, and Nathan was able to double his goal tally with a blistering rising shot that gave the keeper no chance.
It was a relief to get the third goal; although we should have been able to defend the one goal lead, you just never know! It’s just a shame we didn’t finish off the game earlier. Because we were playing well, but didn’t score the third goal until late in the game, Milesy really couldn’t change the team, and as a consequence Jimmy and Aaron didn’t get a run out today. However they both showed a real team mentality (as always), and will get the chances their loyalty deserves.
Well played today everyone, and let’s make sure this is our first win of many in the league.
Eye-Ball
Next game: Sun 2nd Nov 10.30 K.O. vs Rec Rovers @ Blackshots (we’re at home so get there early to put up nets)
Goal Scoring Chart:
3 comments:
fantastic write up eye-ball lol. and just to let everyone know me and sharpy made up in the end and now very happy together( oops shouldnt say that)
i thought we all played very well and i can see the oaks only geting stronger and stronger, we have a great team now which i thich is the best the oaks has every had.
unlucky on not scoring eye-ball but dont worrie it will come.
WELL DONE MEN, SAME AGAIN THE WEEK YER.....
unlucky eye-ball! but at least you got an assist
well done oaks
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