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: