With Jordan unavailable due to work commitments Milesy again had to give the team a bit of a shake up, and with the luxury of fourteen players to choose from he went with the following starting eleven:
ppppppppppppppTyrone (GK)
pJimmy (RB) Milly (CB) Rob (CB) Deano (LB)
pEye-Ball (RM) Al (CM) Stu (CM) (c) Bill (LM)
pppppppppNathan (CF) Sharpy (CF)
Subs: Parker, Scott, Aaron
It would be interesting to see how Nathan and Sharpy played together upfront, with the former obviously being rewarded for his three goals the previous week which had put him level with Sharpy in the goal-scoring charts.
A respectably observed minute’s silence preceded the match to remember those who had fought and died for our country, and soon afterwards the game got under way.
It always seems to take us a little while to get into our stride, and today was no exception, with Linford starting the brighter of the two sides. However, although we struggled to find our rhythm Linford didn’t pose much of a threat in the final third and Ty’s goal remained fairly untroubled.
Most people would agree that the best refs are the ones you don’t notice, and it was soon obvious that today’s official was definitely not one to be put into this category. So often the team who handles the ref best is the one that comes out on top, and the early signs weren’t good for The Oaks as Deano understandably showed his frustration after being wrongly accused of hand-ball and then also being denied an obvious free kick. I don’t know for sure, but I think Deano holds the record for the Oaks player who has sent himself off the most and he was a whisker away from adding to that record (it’s a good job those shirts are a bit tight). However, he soon composed himself and went on to play a leading role in a strong defence display.
Although most of the play was in The Oaks half in the first 45 you could still argue that we should have been in the lead at the break with Sharpy and Nathan both coming close, but failing to find the killer finish with only the keeper to beat. It’s hard to say who would have been happier with the nil-nil half time score-line. Ordinarily you would definitely say Linford given the drubbings we had given them last season, but then they didn’t know they were facing an Oaks side who whose confidence had taken a bit of a battering the previous week.
The instructions for the second half were pretty straight forward; keep concentrating, fight for every ball, and get the ball in the onion bag! Milesy made one substitution (and a number of positional changes) at half time, with Scott replacing Jimmy and slotting in at left-midfield, Eye-Ball going back to left back to relieve the altitude sickness, Deano shifting to right-back and Bill following him over to play right-mid.
I’ve often wondered what Milesy puts in the water bottles, but whatever it is it definitely worked as the Oaks were soon on top in the second half in every respect. In defence Rob and Milly were immense; they didn’t give the Linford strikers a sniff, and funnily enough the only challenging save Ty had to make was from Milly who misunderstood the strange concoction of sounds emanating from Ty’s mouth and ended up almost heading the ball past him.
Ty did request that I justify his self appointed position as “the best footballer in the world”, but I’m afraid the fine defence display denied him the opportunity to shine today. Deciding to kick the ball out for an attacking Linford throw when it would have been Oaks ball didn’t help either (although he could argue a Linford throw is possibly less dangerous than letting Eye-ball take it). When he did need to claim a cross or gather a shot he did so with ease, and deserved his first clean sheet of the season.
In midfield Stu and Al were dominating their opposite numbers and must be commended for their work-rate and commitment both in attack and defence. On the wings Scott’s introduction made a definite impact. I think we are all in agreement that he’s a very good young footballer, and will be a valuable asset if we continue to see him over the rest of the season. On the other wing Bill – on his second pair of boots for the game – work tirelessly and is definitely benefiting from the regular appearances.
Upfront the Oaks answer to Jedward (Sathan or Narpy maybe…) were showing a telepathic understanding that is usually only gained from time spent together in the womb, and despite his own run in with the ref vice skipper Nathan once again led by example from the front and was a constant menace.
There is always something to talk about where Sharpy is concerned. Thankfully a lot of the time we’re talking about his goals, but after last week’s shenanigans there was a point when we didn’t think he’d be pulling the Oaks shirt on again. However, it takes a big man to admit he is wrong, and the apology he gave to the whole team before kick-off was much appreciated (although he knows he still has one apology to make). It also seemed to lift a big weight off his shoulders, as a dry and happy Sharpy had one of his best games in the Oaks colours. Yes, his finishing has been better but his movement, determination and overall attitude (not to mention he avoid the ref for the full 90 minutes) meant there will be a couple of Linford defenders having Sharpy coloured nightmares tonight.
As already mentioned, Sharpy’s finishing wasn’t quite at its best but this didn’t stop him giving the Oaks the lead when the keeper could only help a scuffed shot into the net. 1-0 to The Oaks.
This spurred on the Oaks to get that all important second goal, and Al was a whisker away from scoring the best team goal that I can remember for the Oaks. The ball was passed through the midfield, and then up to Sharpy, who then played a delightful first time ball behind the defence to Al, who had made a superb run into the box. With only the keeper to beat Al fired inches wide of the left hand post.
With a number of other chances coming to nothing (including Eye-Ball almost inadvertently lobbing the keeping from an attempted cross) there was a fear that Linford might snatch an underserved point, and the last ten minutes was definitely “squeaky bum” time. However, the Oaks dug deep - with even Aaron (who had replace Bill) winning a header for the cause – and got the three points they deserved.
1-0 is a great score-line when the 90 minutes are up, but it’s probably the worst score-line for the subs as, injuries permitting, it is always a risk to change things. Parker was the unfortunate one to miss out this time, but at least he avoided the flag!
We know the next match against Greyhound is going to be a tougher encounter, but if we take the momentum from this game into next week’s match we can definitely get something from a game we really need to if we want to make a real challenge for the league title this year.
Eye-Ball
Next Match – Sun 15th November v Greyhound @ Blackshots (Home so 09:45 meet).
A respectably observed minute’s silence preceded the match to remember those who had fought and died for our country, and soon afterwards the game got under way.
It always seems to take us a little while to get into our stride, and today was no exception, with Linford starting the brighter of the two sides. However, although we struggled to find our rhythm Linford didn’t pose much of a threat in the final third and Ty’s goal remained fairly untroubled.
Most people would agree that the best refs are the ones you don’t notice, and it was soon obvious that today’s official was definitely not one to be put into this category. So often the team who handles the ref best is the one that comes out on top, and the early signs weren’t good for The Oaks as Deano understandably showed his frustration after being wrongly accused of hand-ball and then also being denied an obvious free kick. I don’t know for sure, but I think Deano holds the record for the Oaks player who has sent himself off the most and he was a whisker away from adding to that record (it’s a good job those shirts are a bit tight). However, he soon composed himself and went on to play a leading role in a strong defence display.
Although most of the play was in The Oaks half in the first 45 you could still argue that we should have been in the lead at the break with Sharpy and Nathan both coming close, but failing to find the killer finish with only the keeper to beat. It’s hard to say who would have been happier with the nil-nil half time score-line. Ordinarily you would definitely say Linford given the drubbings we had given them last season, but then they didn’t know they were facing an Oaks side who whose confidence had taken a bit of a battering the previous week.
The instructions for the second half were pretty straight forward; keep concentrating, fight for every ball, and get the ball in the onion bag! Milesy made one substitution (and a number of positional changes) at half time, with Scott replacing Jimmy and slotting in at left-midfield, Eye-Ball going back to left back to relieve the altitude sickness, Deano shifting to right-back and Bill following him over to play right-mid.
I’ve often wondered what Milesy puts in the water bottles, but whatever it is it definitely worked as the Oaks were soon on top in the second half in every respect. In defence Rob and Milly were immense; they didn’t give the Linford strikers a sniff, and funnily enough the only challenging save Ty had to make was from Milly who misunderstood the strange concoction of sounds emanating from Ty’s mouth and ended up almost heading the ball past him.
Ty did request that I justify his self appointed position as “the best footballer in the world”, but I’m afraid the fine defence display denied him the opportunity to shine today. Deciding to kick the ball out for an attacking Linford throw when it would have been Oaks ball didn’t help either (although he could argue a Linford throw is possibly less dangerous than letting Eye-ball take it). When he did need to claim a cross or gather a shot he did so with ease, and deserved his first clean sheet of the season.
In midfield Stu and Al were dominating their opposite numbers and must be commended for their work-rate and commitment both in attack and defence. On the wings Scott’s introduction made a definite impact. I think we are all in agreement that he’s a very good young footballer, and will be a valuable asset if we continue to see him over the rest of the season. On the other wing Bill – on his second pair of boots for the game – work tirelessly and is definitely benefiting from the regular appearances.
Upfront the Oaks answer to Jedward (Sathan or Narpy maybe…) were showing a telepathic understanding that is usually only gained from time spent together in the womb, and despite his own run in with the ref vice skipper Nathan once again led by example from the front and was a constant menace.
There is always something to talk about where Sharpy is concerned. Thankfully a lot of the time we’re talking about his goals, but after last week’s shenanigans there was a point when we didn’t think he’d be pulling the Oaks shirt on again. However, it takes a big man to admit he is wrong, and the apology he gave to the whole team before kick-off was much appreciated (although he knows he still has one apology to make). It also seemed to lift a big weight off his shoulders, as a dry and happy Sharpy had one of his best games in the Oaks colours. Yes, his finishing has been better but his movement, determination and overall attitude (not to mention he avoid the ref for the full 90 minutes) meant there will be a couple of Linford defenders having Sharpy coloured nightmares tonight.
As already mentioned, Sharpy’s finishing wasn’t quite at its best but this didn’t stop him giving the Oaks the lead when the keeper could only help a scuffed shot into the net. 1-0 to The Oaks.
This spurred on the Oaks to get that all important second goal, and Al was a whisker away from scoring the best team goal that I can remember for the Oaks. The ball was passed through the midfield, and then up to Sharpy, who then played a delightful first time ball behind the defence to Al, who had made a superb run into the box. With only the keeper to beat Al fired inches wide of the left hand post.
With a number of other chances coming to nothing (including Eye-Ball almost inadvertently lobbing the keeping from an attempted cross) there was a fear that Linford might snatch an underserved point, and the last ten minutes was definitely “squeaky bum” time. However, the Oaks dug deep - with even Aaron (who had replace Bill) winning a header for the cause – and got the three points they deserved.
1-0 is a great score-line when the 90 minutes are up, but it’s probably the worst score-line for the subs as, injuries permitting, it is always a risk to change things. Parker was the unfortunate one to miss out this time, but at least he avoided the flag!
We know the next match against Greyhound is going to be a tougher encounter, but if we take the momentum from this game into next week’s match we can definitely get something from a game we really need to if we want to make a real challenge for the league title this year.
Eye-Ball
Next Match – Sun 15th November v Greyhound @ Blackshots (Home so 09:45 meet).
Goal scoring chart (with appearances from one previous game to be added)
3 comments:
i'm still sulking, it took me 45 minutes to get there this morning, 45 FUCKING MINUTES
hahahah good to see you used those legs for walking and not driving that silly small van
I dont drive a van? I was fucked off driving all the way to Grays and not getting even a couple of minutes :(
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