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
2 comments:
aaron came on for sharpy not me
Thought Oaks battled well and put in lots of effort. Two things to work on: Passing and those long throw-ins. Look really dangerous from the long throws. Good luck for next week lads!
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