Milesy returned this week (complete with pink shirt and sun-tan), and although the tequila and sombreros were sadly missing, he did bring our shiny new purple kit (complete with matching socks) as chosen democratically at the end of last season. Although this wasn't a great start for the new kit, it still signals the start of a new era for the Oaks as Milesy looks to gel the significant contingent of new players with the old. For this game, with a severe lack of recognised strikers, Milesy chose to experiment with five in the middle, leaving Nick on his own up top:
ppppppppppppppppTy
RobppppppDeano (c)ppppMillyppppEye-Ball
ppppppppppppppGollum
MikeyppppBunnypppppTapsellppppppAl
ppppppppppppppNick
Subs/Watchers: Parker, Luke, Whiley, Gavin, Scott, Steve, Joe, Nathan, Chris, Jordan, Ryan
I haven't had any complaints about the new player intros so will continue this week with Bunny:
Ash
AKA:
Bunny
Most likely reason for nickname:
His surname is Bun
Least likely reason for surname:
Three years spent satisfying Hugh Hefner's labedo in the Playboy Mansion
Best attributes:
Strong in the tackle and in the air, and a great first touch that gives a stronger case for the above nickname suggestion.
Lakeside dominated the early exchanges, and showed themselves to be a confident and energetic young side. Virtually the first move of the game saw them work the ball to their main front man, who found some space on the edge of the area and shot wide of the right hand upright.
It wasn't long before Ty was called into action as he had to atone for his own error as a miscued kick from a back pass presented the ball to a Lakeside player in space. Ty recovered well to close the angle and block the shot with his legs.
Lakeside's constant harassment evidently unsettled the Oaks who failed to make use of the possession they had, and were guilty of giving away far too many soft free kicks when there was still plenty of cover to deal with any dangerous situations that may arise.
Twice in the first half the Oaks were punished for this indiscipline and the two goal difference that was to remain until the end of the game was soon established. Teams are often accused of lacking width, but I don't think this comment is meant to apply to a defensive wall. However, when a free kick was conceded 10 yards outside the area, and hit low around the right side of the wall and out of Ty's reach, it was clear that our one could have done with a bit more girth: 1-0.
One nil became two nil when, with our penalty area packed with red and black shirts (remembering we now play in purple) following another free kick, Ty attempted to play a 1-2 to with the opposition player who didn't oblige and deflected the ball into the net. While there was some debate over the legality of the method used to get the ball into the net (some sort of combination of hand and right testicle being one possibility), Ty sets himself high standards (his dazzling new green kit being a prime example) and I'm sure he would have been disappointed to have not held the initial shot, especially as he had commanded his six yard box from numerous dangerous inswinging corners up to this point: 2-0.
Still, with over sixty minutes left to play we had plenty of time to get back into this game and could have been level at the break if we had got a better rub of the green with two excellently manufactured chances.
Tapsell and Bunny play a lot of football together (they joined the Oaks from the same side and play five-a-side together each week), and showed an almost telepathic understanding when they linked up to create a chance that almost saw Bunny score his second for the season with a goal that would have been a contender for goal of the season. As the ball came towards Tapsell in the air, he heard the call from his mate and nodded the ball on in Bunny's direction. With his back to goal, Bunny let the ball bounce across him, swivelled and hit it first time towards the right hand side of the goal from 25 yards before anyone else reacted. We all watched on as the ball bounced, hit the post and bounced away out of the reach of Mikey, who was the only one who realised a re-bound might be on.
The second best chance of the half also fell to Bunny, as he rose like a ...(sorry, that's too obvious even for me) on the edge of the six yard box to meet Mikey's excellent cross from the right, but could not direct his header under the cross bar.
We also showed we could be dangerous from free kicks as Al "I can't take free-kicks" Blake floated an excellent ball to the back post which almost lead to a goal.
The half time team talk from Milesy was mainly positive: he could see that we could create chances against this side, and despite the goals, Ty's save and one defensive lapse when their striker broke through and shot over, we had defended well. Milesy did decided that Nick needed some support up top, and whilst to some of us the obvious choice would have been to simply move former prolific striker Gollum further up the field, he instead chose to give Scott (who we were all pleased to see return from injury) a run out whilst reverting to a 4-4-2 formation.
Although the infuriating sound of the referee's whistle continued to interrupt play during the second half, we soaked up the continuing Lakeside pressure and Ty had a much quieter second half.
With Scott now on we could look to make better use of our aerial threat from crosses and corners, as he showed that the lay-off through injury hadn't affected his ability to swing in tempting corners into the danger zone. Two stand out chances from these whipped in deliveries fell to Bunny and Rob. The former making a well timed run to the near post to head narrowly wide. Rob came even closer when his nod down at the back post unfortunately hit the Lakeside keeper, who didn't know very much about the save.
The keeper has to take more credit for the save he made from Tapsell, who made a superb run into the box and struck the ball with venom using the outside of his right boot, only to see his effort tipped over by a diving yellow blur.
If any of these chances had gone in, it would have been interesting to see how the young pretenders would have handled the pressure of protecting a one goal lead, and despite the fact that we failed to disturb the net there were a number of positives to take from the second half performance. The stand-out one for me being the cameo performance by Luke at right-back; for a man who has been patiently waiting to get his chance wearing a goalie's jersey he show himself to be a composed and tidy defender, and with a booming right boot that can be used to clear the lines or set up an attacking move Milesy has yet another option (or is that head-ache) to consider. Milesy should also get credit for managing to re-organsie the side during the second half to get all three permitted subs onto the field. With not many like-for-like changes possible he first brought on Gavin for Al, who was replaced by Scott on the left with Gav join Nick upfront. Then for Luke to get his chance at right back Mikey left the field and Rob moved to the right wing.
So although the result wasn't what we would have liked, I think we all (including Milesy) can learn a lot from this game as we look to compete in what looks to be the most evenly matched division in the league.
I should add that the main thing I learned is that it's advisable not to spend too long on the ground injured, as the next time Parker waddles on to provide unrequested treatment he may have something worse than orange squash in his bottle.
Eye-Ball
Next game: Sunday 23rd October @ Home v Thameside - Meet between 0915 and 0930 (as we have to put the nets up).
Goals and assists chart:
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