Rec Rovers 2 -1 Oaks Athletic

The Oaks curse struck again as, for the countless time, a battling win against one of the better sides in the league was followed by a disappointing defeat against one of the worst. We know that the Oaks are notoriously slow starters, but a first half in which we didn’t leave the changing room, let alone get out of the blocks, cost us the game against a Rec Rovers side who made up for what they lacked in skill with determination and spirit.

The manager was forced to make changes to last week’s team, with Scott not available and Sharpy carrying a hamstring injury. He did come on in second half in an attempt to give us a much needed boost, but unfortunately the hamstring didn’t hold and it looks like a bit of a lay-off is required for our star striker.

pppppppppppppppppTyrone (GK)

ppJimmy (RB) Rob (CB) Milly (CB) Deano (LB)

Nathan (RM) (c) Gollum (CM) Jordan (CM) Eye-Ball (LM)

ppppppppppppppMikey (CF) Nick (CF)

Subs: Parker, Sharpy, Aaron, Aaron (2)

The less said about the first 45 minutes the better. We just didn’t function as a team; the ball was given away too easily, the opposition were often first to the ball, and allowed too much time and space when in possession, and good opportunities were wasted due to a lack of composure in the final third.

Still, despite all this Rec didn’t offer much of a threat to our goal, but still took the league when the Oaks were once again caught out playing a high defensive line. All it took was a hopefully ball over the top, and the rest of the story writes itself: 1-0.

No one would argue that it’s important to keep the opposition a safe distance from goal, but playing the offside trap in the Sunday league is always a risky business, especially when condensing the play means that, if possession is lost, the opposition are suddenly in an attacking position with forward and midfield players up on our last line of defence. Defending has always been one of our strengths, and if we keep goal side we won’t get beaten often. Imagine if you were an opposition striker; would you rather Rob was trying to play you offside or have him charging in from behind you as you’re about to collect the ball?

Going a goal down wasn’t enough to galvanise the Oaks, and 1-0 was soon 2-0 when Gollum’s clumsy tackle felled a Rec player in the box. Despite Ty’s best efforts to get the penalty spot moved to somewhere near the centre of the goal (it’s painted on Ty!), the penalty was despatched under Ty’s ample frame and into the net: 2-0.

Now it wasn’t all bad, and the Oaks did create some good chances to score, but were unfortunate to find the Rec keeper on top form. Nathan showed great athleticism and skill to sweetly strike an overhead kick from Eye-Ball’s cross, that went straight at the keeper. Nathan also had another shot saved at the near post following a surging run into the box. Jimmy also had a good effort from range after creating space for himself on the left. We also had a good shout for a penalty turned down when Mikey B was tripped whilst attempting a shot.

Milesy made it clear what he felt of our performance at half-time, and it was no more than we deserved. One change was made at half-time with Sharpy replacing Jimmy and Mikey moving back into the midfield. The rollicking seemed to do the trick, and much of the second half was spent in Rec’s half. Right from the first minute, when Jordan saw a rasping shot from range well saved, it was clear that the second half was going to be a totally different game. The one chance Rec had to kill of the game was a fortuitous one, as Milly’s clearance ricocheted off the opposition player’s face and caught us on the back foot. Fortunately the forward’s shot hit the cross-bar the deflected to safety.

The deficit was halved when Nathan (who actually predicted a goal would be scored) hurled on of his torpedoes into the box where it was flicked on at the front post by Rob, and Deano was on hand to poke the ball home via his right moob. 2:1.

The Oaks continued to pile on the pressure, and chance after chance came and went. The pick of the bunch included Aaron – who had made a real impact after coming on for Sharpy – putting in a great low cross which found Nathan with acres of space at the back post. Unfortunately he didn’t know that he had time to get the ball under control, and his first time effort spooned wide. Nicky also had a good header from Nathan’s corner cleared off the line, and had two good shouts for a penalty ignored.

As if the referee wasn’t unpopular enough already, he was well and truly struck off the Christmas card list when his decision to disallow a goal from Nathan’s long throw basically settled the game. All the Oaks players in the box were convinced the keeper had touched the ball as it flew over his head into the net, but the ref was convinced otherwise, and so the goal was not given. Little did we know that the paparazzi were on hand to capture the Oaks player’s reaction to this decision (it looks like Gollum was the ring leader to me).



So although the performance in the second half was much better, and we should have at least picked up a point, we can’t blame the referee for our poor show in the first half and will need to play much better if we want to compete in this league as we know we can. Despite giving us constant ear ache I should mention that Ty had a very good game, and totally dominated his area. He sets himself high standards, and would have been unhappy at not saving the penalty having guessed the right way, but he should be very pleased with the rest of the game.

Next week we have a cup game, which will be another challenge which hopefully we will rise to.

Eye-Ball

Next game: Sunday 31st October away @ Belhus Park v Wilburn Wanderers – 10:30KO

Oaks Athletic 2 - 1 Little Thurrock Dynamos

The Oaks reacted to last week’s defeat by notching up their second victory of the season in a hard fought battle against a strong LTD side. On a Sunny Autumn morning at Blackshots (where they had still neglected to cut the grass on the pitch to an acceptable length) Milesy once again had a large squad to choose from, and decided on the following starting eleven:

pppppppppppppppppTyrone (GK)

ppJimmy (RB) Deano (CB) Rob (CB) Parker (LB)

Nathan (RM) (c) Gollum (CM) Mikey (CM) Scott (LM)

pppppppppppNick (CF)ppppppSharpy (CF)

Subs: Eye-Ball, Jordan, Aaron, Ashley, Aaron (2)

The Oaks made a much better start than they have in recent weeks, and didn’t actually concede within the first minute. The opening 15 minutes was a tight affair, with neither side creating any clear cut chances. However, this doesn’t mean our physical partnership of Nick and Sharpy wasn’t causing the opposition problems, with Nick especially holding the ball up well and trying to bring others into play. He might be well advised not to wear the shirt with “Kick Me!” emblazoned on the back next week as the opposition seemed to think this was an acceptable (yet ineffective) tactic for trying to dispossess him.

LTD showed on a number of occasions that they had the ability to break at pace, however the Oaks offside trap was working well, and when they did break away it came to nothing. The Oaks had chances of their own, with Mikey seeing a sweetly hit volley deflected just over the bar, and a good free kick from Parker causing all sorts of problems for the LTD defence.

The Oaks were the first to break the deadlock when Sharpy ran on to a ball into the box, and was clumsily felled by the LTD defender. Sharpy picked himself up to firmly hit the penalty kick low to the keeper’s right and give the Oaks the lead: 1-0. Having added to his goal tally for the season, Sharpy’s hamstring decided its work was done, and Sharpy had to be replaced by Jordan, with Mikey moving upfront.

The lead was soon doubled in comical fashion as Nick, walking back from an offside position, raised his hands to signal he wouldn’t attempt to play the ball that was heading in his direction. No whistle was sounded, but LTD thought play had stopped, allowing Nathan to run onto the unattended ball and coolly slot past the out of position keeper: 2-0.

This second goal was a real bonus, as LTD were looking good defensively, with their keeper coping well with Nathan’s long throw in, and more of the play being conducted in the Oak’s half. However, with a two goal cushion we had given ourselves a great chance of getting something from the game.

Unfortunately the lead was halved before the interval when the LTD winger went to ground inside the box whilst being shepherded away from the goal by Deano. Those who criticised Deano for his rashness, when there was minimal danger, were soon turning their attentions to the referee as the LTD player nobly admitted that he had tripped over his own feet. However, the penalty stood, with the winger soon reverting to mere peasant as he stepped up to stroke the ball into the net: 2-1.

Milesy was thoroughly pleased with the first half performance; we were in the lead and had shown that the apparent defensive frailties suggested from the week before were simply a blip. Just the one change was made at half time with Parker being replaced by Eye­-Ball, which was no reflection on what had been a fine performance, but with a lead to protect the gaffer probably felt Parker’s creativity and attacking flair would be wasted and a more defensively minded primitive full back was required.

As predicted LTD threw everything at the Oaks goal in the second half, but all was repelled with every ball being fought for, and every man doing his bit. With such a slim margin between victory and defeat, the defence had to stick to their first job, and the full backs in particular couldn’t afford to get forward. This made life especially difficult for the wingers, but we are fortunate to have two young lads in Nathan and Scott who were prepared to work their socks off to get forward and support the strikers when we had possession, but also to get back and defend when we didn’t. Then in the middle Jordan and Gollum were competing for every ball, with Gollum in particular having his best game of the season; I don’t know how he does it, but he seemed to be everywhere and was a constant thorn in the oppositions’ side.

The back four were also working well as a unit to repel all that LTD could throw at them, and when they did get in behind Ty was on hand to smoother the ball, or pull off a superb one handed reaction save. The one blemish would be mistaking the LTD player’s face for the ball when, in the heat of the moment Ty reacted following a 50:50 challenge where he got to the ball first. Suprisingly the soft “baby’s bottom” like feel of Ty’s mittens weren’t appreciated by the opposition player – or the referee – but fortunately the situation was pacified before handbags were drawn.

So with 20 minutes to go, and the score still at 2-1 to the Oaks, it was time for another of those game defining moments. I should warn you that I’m not going to apologise for the self-indulgent and biased account of what happened next.

As a mediocre Thurrock League “footballer” (note the inverted comma) - whose primary contribution in most games is to make life unpleasant for annoying, skilful, young wingers, stand on the half way line for corners, and head the ball onto the running track – I often wonder if, and how, I could ever experience the feeling of performing a single act for which I would be given the credit for winning the match, and be hailed a hero by my fellow team-mates. Let’s be honest, it’s unlikely to ever be for scoring a screamer from 30 yards in the dying seconds or beating three men before rounding the keeper and sliding the ball home. Perhaps more likely would be taking the ball in the face from point blank range on the goal line, or boring the opposition into submission by making them sit through a slideshow of my recent band camp exploits. I never thought that when my moment came, leading to being greeted by a chorus of cheers on entering the changing room, that it would be for receiving a straight red!

I didn’t have much time to think as the LTD forward raced clear through the centre, and I darted across from my left back position, but what I did know was that I was the only one who could intervene to prevent him (and his team mate who was next in line) from becoming odds on favourites to potentially snatch at least two points from the Oaks. I also thought I might have a chance of making a clean tackle and winning the ball. Whilst the first thought was correct, the second was more wishful thinking, and as I slid in the ball was poked forward leaving just the player as the optional target. Having now been reminded what the first thought was, optional was erased, the target was hit and went crashing to the ground. The ball rolled harmlessly into Ty’s hands, and the whistle was blown.

Now the referee had shown himself capable on more than one occasion of getting the simplest decisions wrong, but not even he could fail to deduce that, as the last man who had prevented an obvious goal scoring opportunity, I had to go. I’ve never even been booked before, so Deano’s advice on how to receive your marching orders whilst keeping your dignity in tact was very welcome (although I did choose to keep my shirt on).

I must confess to feeling quite embarrassed at the reaction of my team mates and managers as, rather than the red card being seen as a punishment for serious foul play, it was hailed as a reward for a courageous act. Apparently I had “taken one for the team”.

Now obviously for this act to qualify under the “match winning” category still depended on the outcome of the subsequent free kick, and the courage and determination of the ten men who were left to fend off the advance LTD hordes. As it happened the free kick sailed harmlessly wide, and despite their best efforts LTD couldn’t find a way through to goal no matter how hard they tried. The Oaks actually managed to create some match clinching chances themselves, but although Nick showed a great touch and close control, the shoot button seemed to have been disabled.

The game ended like a scene from 300, with Rob literally throwing himself in front of the opposition to prevent a goal, and picking up a juicy shiner and cut lip for his efforts, and Aaron being sprawled on the floor clutching his tackle (I should add this was totally unrelated to Rob’s shiner). This was symbolic of the considerable effort all had put in to hold out for 20 minutes with 10 men, and came as an important reminder that it is always the team that wins the game.

Eye-Ball

Next match: Sunday 24th October away @ Lakeside v Rec Rovers – 1030 KO

Oaks Athletic 4 - 7 George and Dragon

ppppppppppppppppTy

ppDeanppppppMillyppppAlexppppAaron(Bass)

Keri(c)pppppMikeyBppppppGollumppppppJordan

ppppppppppppNickpppppppSharpy

Subs; Scott, Terry, Jimmy Not Used; Parker, Aaron, Ash

With last weeks thumping victory still fresh in our minds, the Oaks were confident of producing a good performance against a young and athletic George team. Unfortunately within the first minute Oaks yet again conceded an early goal. This goal was to be repeated 6 more times in similar fashion with the George attackers breaking the high Oaks offside trap and sadly left Ty exposed. That is all you need to know about them!

The Oaks managed to hit back from the early setback to actually take the lead themselves, although in reality this was as good as it got. These goals come courtesy of 2 close range strikes from the in form striking duo of Nick and Sharpy. George and Dragon come storming back into the game to regain and extend their lead either side of a cooly taken penalty from Nath which come about from a foul on himself. All this drama led to the crazy half time score of 6-3 to George and Dragon.

During half time Milesy took off left back Aaron and replaced him with new boy Terry and Van der Weed come off for Scott. The Oaks were in determined mood not to be embarrassed second half and went out and gave the George a tough game with some crunching tackles and a more high pressure approach. This change paid off and the Oaks kept the second half score 1-1. Our goal come from Jimmy who had replaced Sharpy and he produced a cool turn in the area and then swivelled round to fire the ball home to restore some Oaks pride and to cap a great half hour by the midfield maestro.

The Oaks can take some heart from the fact that we are still scoring and the goals are coming from all over the pitch. If we take this scoring form into future games i'm sure the wins will return. See you all next week and hopefully Eye-ball will return as trying to remember the details of this match was a nightmare!!

Parker.

Oaks Athletic 9 - 1 Kaktus

It’s probably easiest if I start by addressing Kaktus’ contribution to this match. Firstly they were gifted an undeserved lead as the Oaks kicked off, and whilst keeping possession the ball found itself at the feet of our ever reliable goalkeeper Ty. Possibly Kaktus’ first touch of the game then followed as Ty’s attempted clearance rebounded off the striker’s backside and rolled into the bottom corner: 0-1.

The opposition’s only other highlights were a first half shot that hit the post, and a second half effort which brought a good reaction stop from Ty. For the rest of the match they were mere spectators as the Oaks ran riot to record their first win of the season in emphatic style.

The man with the hardest job was manager Milesy, who had to choose a starting eleven from eighteen available players. The team he went with included two players, Nick and Mikey, who were making their league debuts for the Oaks with both having already impressed in pre-season and last week’s narrow Essex cup defeat.

ppppppppppppppTyrone (GK)

ppDeano (RB) Milly (CB) Rob (CB) Eye-Ball (LB)


pKeri (RM) (c) Gollum (CM) Mikey (CM) Jordan (LM)

pppppppppppNick (CF) Sharpy (CF)

Subs: Jimmy, Alex, Parker, Aaron, Scott, Ashley, Aaron (2)

It would have been easy for heads to go down given we had gone behind so early, but last week’s strong performance against supposedly superior opposition had convinced most in the Oaks ranks that we have the squad to perform well in the league this year. As a result the Oaks were soon back into their stride and Kaktus were totally dominated all over the pitch. The familiar looking Oaks back four were playing well as a unit and mostly successfully playing the offside trap to nullify Kaktus’ hopeful ‘ball over the top’ strategy. The midfield – orchestrated by new man Mikey B – competed for every ball, and found space for each other to keep possession for long periods. Then upfront Sharpy, who is keen to regain his title as Oaks top scorer, was already showing a good understanding with big man Nick, with ‘big’ being an understatement! This pair are going to be a formidable partnership, and I’m just glad I’m not defending against them! Having said that, those who remember how Eye-Ball was born will remind me that being on the same side as Sharpy doesn’t mean you’re safe!

It wasn’t long until the Oaks were back on level terms when Mikey B showed good determination and skill to turn his man on the by-line and put in a low cross which was slid home by a combination of Sharpy and the defender. The dubious goals committee credited Sharpy with the goal, and I don’t think anyone would argue: 1-1.

The Oaks were now well into their stride, and took the lead when Eye-Ball slid in to win the ball on the half way line, with the ball finding its way to Sharpy. He then put Nick clear with a perfectly weighted through ball, and the big man showed he has good feet and a steady head as he rounded the keeper with ease to slot home for his first goal in Oaks colours: 2-1.

Not to be out done, the other league debutant was soon to cap a superb performance with the Oaks’ third goal. We’ve been trying to get Mikey to join the Oaks for a couple of seasons, and he is already showing that our persistence was well worth it. Mikey’s hunger for the ball and composure and strength whilst on it meant that he was at the heart of everything good that the Oaks did. Whether it was giving the defence an out ball to get play moving up the pitch, or linking up with the front men and wingers to set up goal scoring opportunities, you just couldn’t keep him out of the game. On this occasion he decided to go for goal himself, but whilst most thought Mikey’s sweetly struck - though not overly powerful - left footed shot from the edge of the area would be easily dealt with by the Kaktus keeper, the keeper was equally confident that the ball was going wide. The reality was that he actually politely let the ball pass him and into the corner of the net: 3-1.

They say that behind every great man there is a great woman. This may be true in the ideal world, but in reality great women are hard to come by. However, Gollum definitely does his bit for the Oaks, and his willingness to sit in front of the back four and anchor the midfield or drop into the defence gives others the licence to get into the box, and when the ball was only partially cleared following another Oaks attack red shirts were queueing up to score. As it happened, on this occasion the ball fell at Nick’s feet and he finished with aplomb from 8 yards: 4-1.

Such was the Oaks dominance that the half time team talk mostly turned into the meeting of the dubious goal committee, but Milesy did find the opportunity to remind us that complacency could be costly, and the last thing we wanted to do was give Kaktus any hope of a comeback. Just one change was made with Scott replacing Nick, which meant Jordan moving into the middle and Mikey moving into a familiar role upfront with Sharpy. It’s unfortunate that a recurring back problem prevented Scott from pursuing the career in the Army that he had worked so hard for, but their loss is definitely our gain and it was great to have him back following a short lay-off with a broken foot.

The introduction of Scott meant we now had natural width on both sides of the park, and when combined with the constant threat posed by skipper Keri on the right, the Kaktus full backs were having a torrid time. It was therefore no surprise that, when a partially cleared cross saw the ball bouncing at the edge of the area,the ball was subsequently flying into the top corner courtesy of the outside of the right boot of the newly named Rafael van der Weed: 5-1.

It’s worth drawing to your attention that the Oaks had now scored five goals without a corner or long throw in sight. Well, that was never going to last and we were soon treated to the familiar sight of Sharpy and Rob both attacking the ball from Keri’s corner, but thankfully they combined to steer the ball home, with Rob being credited with the final touch: 6-1

Not to be kept out of the action, Ty set up the Oaks 7th and Sharpy’s second, when his long clearance caught the Kaktus defence unawares, and Mikey left the ball for Sharpy to calmly lob over the keeper: 7-1.

Sharpy then secured his (slightly dubious) hat-trick, when the Kaktus keeper made a mess of another cross and Sharpy was on hand to force the ball over the line: 8-1.

There was still time for Deano (complete with suspected broken jaw) to open his tally for the season as he burst into the box, where he was fed by Keri and finished superbly with a side footed shot across the keeper. His obvious joy at scoring may have resulted in shooting jaw pains, but I suspect it was worth it: 9-1.

I shouldn’t finish without mentioning Ashley and Aaron(2) - who also made their debuts in the second half replacing Mikey and Sharpy. We also musn’t forget Parker, Aaron, Jimmy and Alex who didn’t get on this week. These lads are Oaks through and through and know that their loyalty doesn’t go unnoticed.

While I don’t want to spoil the celebrations of what was a superb performance, it is worth mentioning that Kaktus effectively finished 2nd bottom of the 3rd division last season with one win and a goal difference of minus 50. Promotion to league 2b seems unfair on them, and I do wish them all the best for the coming season. We’re going to come up against much tougher opposition – starting next week with George and Dragon – but that said, if we can consistently play with the same conviction and desire we showed in this match, we will be a match for anyone.

Eye-Ball

Next game: Sunday 9th October 1030 KO @ Blackshots (home) v George and Dragon