The recent run of tough matches and double headers against the top sides in the league seemed to have finally taken its toll, as a tired looking, heavy legged Oaks side slumped to defeat against a team who – if the league was anything to go by – should have been beaten. Thameside may have been a team we knew very little about, and although we have achieved better results against far better sides, they must be given credit for their energy and endless pressing and determination. This, plus an imbalance in the ‘rub of the green’ was the difference between the two sides, and although the Oaks had late chances to grab at least a point there can’t be too many complaints about the result.
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pppppppppppppppppParker (GK)
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ppDeano(RB) Rob (CB) Milly (CB) Eye-Ball (LB)
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Jordan (RM) Gollum (CM) Mikey (CM) Aaron (LM)
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pppppppppppNathan (CF) (c) Nick (CF)
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Subs: Sharpy, JP
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Mikey scored his second goal in two games to give the Oaks the lead in the first half. A long throw into the box, from Nathan on the right, was flicked on by Aaron and Mikey was well positioned and displayed excellent technique to volley the ball past the keeper and into the net: 1-0.
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The score stayed at 1-0 to half time, but the warning signs were there as the Oaks struggled for much of the half to keep possession and allowed the opposition far too much time and space on the ball. Milesy made his concerns clear at half time: Thameside were going to chase everything, and if we couldn’t raise our energy levels to match them we would be in trouble.
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An early scare in the second half was nullified thanks to a fine save from Parker after anuncharacteristic air kick from Milly that put the striker through on goal. This warning still didn’t wake us up, and we were punished when a Thameside player was not closed down fast enough and unleashed a clean strike from 35 yards that flew into the top corner. He’ll probably never hit the ball like that again, but it can’t be said Thameside didn’t deserve their goal: 1-1.
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The Oaks had a chance to make an immediate response when Nathan surged into the penalty area and was brought down (well, he went to ground anyway). Despite our regular penalty taker (Sharpy) now being on the pitch, as captain and winner of the penalty Nathan stepped up to the spot. His shot to the keeper’s right was unstoppable except for the intervention of the post, and the rebound was scrambled to safety.
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Thameside then took the lead when a combination of hesitation and lack of communication saw a long throw into the box land at the feet of the Thameside striker, who had the simple job of prodding the ball into the net: 1-2.
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An Oaks side who were noticeably lethargic, where now also in a state of shock, and were soon further behind when a firm cross into a crowded area was headed passed his own keeper by Rob: 1-3.
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The two goal deficit finally spurred the Oaks into life with 15 minutes to go and we started to press, commit more men forward and create chances. One of the best chances fell to Aaron, after Eye-ball ran to the near post to flick on a throw-in from Nathan, but Aaron could only kick the ball over the bar from 6 yards.
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The deficit was reduced to one goal when a high ball following a corner was won by Eye-Ball and headed back to Nathan on the right. His low cross into the box was steered into the net by a Thameside player for the second own goal of the game: 2-3.
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The Oaks continued the assault on the Thameside goal, but despite goal bound efforts from a number of corners, we couldn’t force the ball into the net and the game ended 2-3.
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With the majority of Oaks players looking dejected, Deano felt almost embarrassed to say that despite the defeat he had actually really enjoyed the game. It had been his first 90 outfield minutes for a long time after spending a lot of time on the sideline (mainly) through injury, and he was the stand out player in this match. Far from being an embarrassing comment, this is actually something we should all think carefully about. It’s nice to win, but most important is enjoying playing (otherwise there isn’t much point getting up on a Sunday). This means brushing disappointing defeats aside, supporting and encouraging each other and accepting that we are all doing the best we can. On some days our best will be worse than on others, and on this day we probably underestimated our opposition and were subsequently caught out. However, anyone who has played with the Oaks for any length of time will know that this isn’t the last time we’ll lose a game we think we should have won, and there will be plenty of occasions to come when we will get points when most would have written us off.
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Keep your heads up!
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Eye-Ball
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