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
1 comment:
Nice work eye-ball, agree with Deans red card advice, he did the same when i was sent off, not that attacking flair full backs get sent off that often!!
Parker
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