With Sharpy on emergency duty only, and no obvious replacement without weakening the side in other areas, Milesy went for a 4-4-1-1 formation with Nathan supporting lone striker Nick.
The Oaks starting eleven looked as follows:
pppppppppppppppppTyrone (GK)
ppDeano (RB) Rob (CB) Milly (CB) Eye-Ball (LB)
Jordan (RM) Gollum (CM) Mikey (CM) Aaron(2) (LM)
pppppppppppNathan (RM) (c)
pppppppppppppppppppNick (CF)
Subs: Parker, Jimmy, Aaron, Sharpy, Aaron (2), Alex
It could be argued that the Oaks had an excuse for being slow out of the blocks, but the reality was that they were knocked onto the ropes by a young and energetic Wilburn side who were doing what we should have been: moving into space and demanding the ball, and giving the Oaks players no time on the ball. As a result, without the ball we were chasing shadows, and when we had it panic set in and possession was given away far too easily.
Despite this the opening goal came from a set piece, which highlighted the uncertainty about how we set up defensively. It was decided at half time that Rob would call the line in open play, but that this would be Ty’s job from set-pieces. However, half time was too late to help with this set piece, as keeper and centre back both attempted to marshal their confused troops. Amongst the confusion the free kick was floated in, Ty came and missed, and the ball bounced off Rob and into the net: 0-1.
Things really didn’t get any better in the first half, with many players being guilty of ball watching, including your esteemed match reporter who found himself in a two on one situation and managed to play both the opposition players onside. Needless to say the striker was gifted a clean run on goal and finished neatly over the stranded Ty: 0-2.
Half time couldn’t have come soon enough for the Oaks, and the riot act was duly read. Two changes were made with Jimmy and Alex replacing Jordan and Aaron (2), who had acquitted himself well in his first start and even had one of the best chances to score, but could only head wide when in a good position at the back post. Alex slotted in at left back with Eye-Ball moving up to the wing, and Jimmy came in on the right wing.
The attitude was much better in the second half, and the majority of the game was played in Wilburn’s half. However, they showed themselves to be as good in defence as we had allowed them to look in attack in the first half. One of the battles of the match was between Nick and the Wilburn captain. Both would definitely be classed as heavy weights in footballing terms, and Nick struggled to get the upper hand on his opposite number.
The other major battle was between the Oaks players and the referee, who was the same man in black who had been blamed for denying the Oaks a point a week ago. Unfortunately he suggested that rather than last week being a one-off poor performance, the problem was terminal and this week was another shocker. Off-side flags were ignored (which made Sharpy as happy as larry), good shouts for penalties against Mikey and two against Nick were ignored, and he basically gave the opposition free licence to kick our striker into next week without punishment. To make matters worse he showed no hesitation in awarding Wilburn a soft penalty after Jimmy made minimal contact with their man: 0-3.
Three nil became four when the Oaks were once again caught out playing to high up the pitch and Ty was again greeted with the far too familiar sight of an opposition player bearing down on him unchallenged. The odds were obviously against him and Wilburn made no mistake: 0-4.
By this time the Oaks seemed to have got their belief back, and despite the mountain now being insurmountable some pride was restored when the Oaks scored following the best move of the match. Jimmy, Nick and Mikey combined on the edge of the area, with Mikey chipping an excellent ball through to Nathan who showed good composure to slot home past the helpless Wilburn keeper: 1-4.
Unfortunately the 4 goal cushion was quickly restored thanks to a superb through ball from Jimmy. This sentence isn’t misprinted, but I should clarify that it was a superb through ball for the opposition rather than the Oaks. This time the Oaks back four can be excused for being caught out, but then you could argue that the high line leaves no margin for error. Deano – who had a great game and epitomised the passion and commitment that is expected of all who pull on the red and black – valiantly gave chase and was desperately unlucky to see the ball bounce into the net off the inside of the post following his last ditch ball winning tackle. 1-5.
The Oaks did pull another goal back when a low corner from Nathan was converted from close range by Nick, but we conceded again when Wilburn broke again, and the substitute headed home from what looked suspiciously like an offside position.
Despite the one sided score line, the story could have been very different if it hadn’t been for the young Wilburn keeper, who had the game of his life. He denied Mikey, who looked to have slotted the ball in at the near post only for a strong hand to come to Wilburn’s rescue. He also denied Parker who shot firmly from the right, and was unlucky not to score his first goal of the season. Add to these saves the unrewarded penalties and it could have been a much closer game.
For a team that prides itself on defence we have conceded an awful lot of soft goals of late. This has been discussed at length, and although we know what the problem is with playing the offside trap, the same mistakes are still being made. Next week the manager will try something different with Deano playing in a sweeper role, and it is important that all the team (and the supporters for that matter) know what the plan is so encouragement and advice can be given coherently and consistently. The spirit and support between the players in the second half was great to see, and if we all get behind each other we won’t have many days like this.
Eye-Ball
Next game: Sunday 7th November v Springhouse @ Blackshots (home) 10:30 K.O.
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