Perhaps the improved performance and result can be partly attributed to Milesy’s astute tactical decision to move Rob up into a five man midfield and play Nathan as a sole striker:
pppppppppppppppppppTyrone (GK)
ppppEye-Ball (RB) Milly (CB) Deano (CB) Parker (LB)
Jimmy (RM) Gollum (CM) Rob (CM) Jordan (CM) Scott (LM)
ppppppppppppppppppppNathan (CF) (c)
Subs: Aaron
The extended warm up granted to the Oaks thanks to Belhus’ lack of enthusiasm for putting up the posts, and the ref’s evident reluctance to take off his track suit, seemed to be exactly what we needed. For the first time in ages we were actually quick out of the blocks, and looked the far better side in the opening exchanges.
The two previous thrashings had obviously been character building experiences, as you could almost taste the determination from all on the team to hand out our own blend of humiliation to a team who were evidently inferior to Stanford Wanderers, and seemed prepared to give us as much time on the ball as we wanted. The Oaks seemed to have found their voice, and were always quick to offer the man on the ball an outlet. As a result we were retaining possession much more successfully than in previous weeks, and suddenly the game looked easy.
Belhus really didn't look like they had much to offer, and apart from giving them a couple of half sniffs thanks to Ty being even more cocky than usual in his penalty area, the Oaks were totally dominant.
It wasn't a surprise that it was the Oaks who took the lead, but it was still a big relief to see Nathan latch on to a ball through the middle, out muscle the two centre backs, and round the keeper to score: 0-1.
The confidence surging through the Oaks ranks grew and grew as the half went on, and the fluidity of the midfield, with players overlapping and moving into the space, left Belhus chasing shadows. Some might have feared that Nathan would have found himself isolated upfront, but the Oaks played a high line; compressing the play and meaning that there was never much of a gap between Nathan and at least one of Gollum, Jordan and Rob. In fact, even the forward position seemed interchangeable, with Nathan often dropping deep to get involved in play and Gollum letting his natural strikers' instinct take over. On one such occasion he found himself through on goal, but seem to run backwards and was unable to get a shot away.
Despite our dominance, one goal was never going to be enough, and when the second goal arrived it was thanks to some real quality from Scott and Jordan down the left. The acorns of the Oaks side (Aaron's more like the pod from which the acorn grows) linked up well before Scott found space and crossed low across the box where the on-rushing Rob wrapped a left foot round the ball and divert it beyond the keeper: 0-2.
When stand-in skipper Nathan beat the offside trap and rounded the keeper, many would have thought he had wasted a great opportunity to extend the Oaks lead even further by running the ball too wide; however, he underlined his quality by finishing superbly from a tight angle for his second of the game and eleventh of the season: 0-3.
The score line could have looked even more lopsided before half time, especially given Rob's dominance in the air. Belhus really couldn't get close to him, and every corner or long throw looked like it was going to end up in the back of the net. It wasn't just Rob who was looking to take advantage from the set pieces, with Deano volleying home from one of many fine deliveries from Scott. Unfortunately the ref had already blown his whistle to sort out pushing by the Belhus keeper on our player; which was one of his many strange decisions.
So the half finished with the score at 3-0 to the Oaks, and we were able to truly enjoy Milesy's sunny disposition for 10 minutes.
It was hardly surprising that the second half didn't quite live up to the first, with the pitch - which was becoming more and more of a bog - being a contributing factor to this. Some of the intensity from the first half was lost, and Belhus were even given a sniff of hope when, following an Oaks corner, the substitue striker held off Milly and finsihed well passed Ty (who still hadn't made a save). The substitute striker continued to cause the Oaks problems, and it is a mystery why he didn't play from the outset: 1-3.
The next quarter of an hour was a nervy period, as we knew that another goal for Belhus would give them a real boost and could lead to the unimaginable happening. We continued to create chances, and Nathan had two very good opportunities to get his hat-trick. The first time he was felled on-route to goal, for what we thought was a penalty. However, the referee decided to defer the decision to the obviously impartial Belhus linesman (insert sarcastic tone), who said the foul had been outside the area. Rather than argue, the Oaks just got on with it and Scott came narrowly close to extending the lead. Nathan's other chance to get his hat-trick - a rasping shot from just inside the area - was deflected wide by the keeper's face.
The game was settled when Rob's dominance in the air finally paid off, with Scott's pin point corner being powerfully headed home: job done: 1-4.
They say everyday you learn something new, and The Oaks players never cease to provide a source of education. This Sunday I learned that "a weed" is not only a nuisance plant, an 80's indie band, and a weak man. It also refers to the flying, heading shy younger brother of the Oaks goalkeeper whose challenge left the opposition captain spitting expletives and was greeted by shout of "you've been done by a weed!"
This was a really enjoyable game, which will hopefully dispell the doubts about whether we still had something to offer in this league. It's just a shame that we don't have a game next week, but don't forget what this felt like, which should be all the encouragement we need for the rest of the season.
Eye-Ball
1 comment:
weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeed!!
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