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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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