AFC Blackshots 6 - 0 Oaks Athletic

The season finished early for two of the Oaks players as we finished the match with 9 men, playing much of the match with 10. While the Oaks had nothing to play for in this game, Blackshots needed to grab the league title from Anchor Tilbury – who had turned up in force to make sure we gave it 100%. There was no denying that most of us preferred a particular outcome, especially with there being more than one family connection between the Oaks and the opposition. However, Steve put out a strong team, and resisted the temptation to play people out of position for the last game.

pppppppppppppppppppTyrone (GK)

ppppJimmy (RB) Milly (CB) Eye-Ball (CB) Deano (LB)

Jordan (RM) Gollum (CM) Stu (CM) (c) Rob (CM) Scott (LM)

ppppppppppppppppppppNathan (CF)

Subs: Aaron, Casey, Sharpy

The Oaks started well, and for the first 20 minutes were able to contain a determined Blackshots side, with a bit of help from the post and some good reactions from Ty, as a deep cross hit the far post and game back along the line for Ty to kick away. Blackshots finally got the lead they needed when the Oaks weren’t quick enough to close down the player in the box, who was able to shoot low past Ty: 1-0.

Blackshots were now well and truly on top, and soon extended their lead. As if things weren’t bad enough the Oaks then went down to ten men; Eye-ball successfully intercepted a low cross, but rather than clearing the ball up-field, only managed to slice it behind him at pace. Deano’s instinct took over, and he palmed the ball down thinking it was on root into the net. The referee took no sympathy (despite a number of Blackshots players showing commendable sportsmanship to try and convince the referee to not show a red card), and sent Deano off. The resulting penalty was converted: 3-0.

The referee was central to the match now, and seemed to take a real disliking to the Oaks, perhaps thinking the rowdy lager swigging Anchor fans were actually our supporters. He even managed to irate Eye-ball, as the competitive left-back was penalised for what was seen as a rash challenge when attempting to block a ball up the line. The rest of the match became a bit of a waste of time, as frequent bursts of the referee’s whistle added to the numerical disadvantage effectively ended the game as a contest. The Oaks continued to battle in vain, with the frustration becoming too much for Nathan who was sent off for telling the referee what we all really thought of him.

Eye-Ball