With Wilburn playing a cup match, the single point we took from this game meant we could only lose our position at the top of the table if Beauchamps scored heavily and won by two clear goals. As it happened our old friends Thameside did us a big favour by beating them 3-1. This means we can more or less say we are now top on merit given we have played the same number of games as Wilburn, and Beauchamps would need to win their game in hand by a big margin to overtake us on goal difference.
Three weeks at the top - surely not another record!
Steve once again felt he couldn't risk changing a winning side and apart from Nathan starting for Sharpy, the starting eleven was the same as the previous week:
ppppppppppppppppTy
LukeppppppRobppppDeano (c)ppppEye-Ball
NathanppppppMikey BpppppTapsellppppppRyan
ppppppppppNickppppHarry
subs: Parker, Steve, Gollum, Whiley, Sharpy, Niki, Jordan, Joe, Gavin
The Oaks started the game with a real swagger, and looked confident as they passed the ball around between the back four and the midfield. The Blackshots weather was once again going to prove a key factor, as a strong wind blew down the hill towards the far corner. Pegasus were playing with the wind in the first half, and struggled to play the ball through to their front men, as more often than not the wind would take hold and send it out of play.
Pegasus are well known for having one of the best, and largest, pitches in the league. However, this really doesn't seem to suit them as their uncharacteristic bad start to the season has mainly been due to the fact that they have lost all four of their home games, conceding 15 goals in the process (5 of them against the Oaks). They have enjoyed playing on their travels far more, and before this game had won two (including beating Beauchamps at Blackshots) and lost just the once. Perhaps we should offer to swap home pitches?
It was obvious that the smaller Blackshots pitch was helping the Pegasus defence, as Harry and Nick had a lot less space to run in to. Therefore despite all our possession, clear cut chances were at a premium, with the best efforts coming from Tapsell - who tested the opposition's short stand-in keeper with a floating shot which almost bounced in - and Harry who hit the outside of the post from a tight angle.
In the open exchanges, possibly the biggest threat for both teams was the referee. I can understand why Milesy thinks he is one of the better ref's in the league, as his arrogance and bloody mindedness would be perfect for one of the rougher encounters (our recent game against Tilbury being a prime example). However, the way he chose to conduct himself in this game was nothing short of ridiculous. The Oaks have always had a great deal of respect for Pegasus Coryton, and our games against them have always been hard thought but fair - with this one being no exception. How the referee found reason to book no less than three players for fouls that were first time offences and warranted a talking to at best was a mystery. The most frustrating thing is that a £10 fine actually makes a dent in the pocket of your average Sunday league footballer, and when he is penalised for making a genuine attempt to win the ball rather than talking himself into the book, you have to feel sorry for him.
The way the referee spoke to the players was also getting every one's backs up, as awards of free kicks would be accompanied by threats of what would come if it happened again, and comments that were designed to convince us of how right he was that only succeeded in adding to the frustration with some of his awful decisions. He also seemed to love starting arguments, as if he wanted the players to give him an excuse to get his little book out. Apologies for ranting on, but this guy seemed so determined to be the focal point and prevent us having a good, fun game, that I wouldn't want to upset him more by not giving him his own write up.
There were far too many bewildering decisions to list, but one stand-out one lead to the opening goal, against the run of play for Pegasus. When a throw-in was taken on the left by the half way line, Eye-Ball lent into his man with his hands clearly out to his side and the whistle was blown. This seemed harsh, but some refs don't like any sort of contact in these situations. To confirm that this was indeed the case Eye-Ball enquired as to the reason for the decision, at which point he was told he had pushed the player in the back with his hands! We then had no one to blame for falling into the trap of concentrating our efforts on questioning the decision rather than organising ourselves defensively, and when the ball was swung in we were in no position to prevent Pegasus's human tank from bulldozing the ball into the back of the net: 0-1.
This goal knocked the Oaks a little, and when the half time whistle came, it gave us a much needed opportunity to regroup.
The goal for Pegasus proved to be a much needed tonic, and suddenly any thoughts of our previous 5-1 demolition was forgotten as they now had the belief that the Oaks were beatable. Still, we showed we were prepared to scrap all the way and continued to win the key battles, especially the aerial balls in midfield where Mikey and Tapsell reigned supreme.
It didn't take long for the Oaks to get back on level terms, as Harry once again demonstrated that he only needs a sniff at goal to make things happen. Nathan won the ball in midfield from a Pegasus goal kick unchallenged, and nodded the ball back over the defence. Harry reacted quickest, and as the ball came down he steered it first time past the on-rushing keeper and into the net: 1-1.
With over half an hour left the Oaks now believed they could go on to win the game, but unliked our previous encounter with Pegasus, everything we touched turned to sludge rather than gold. Luke and Ryan's corners were causing particular problems, and there was a suggestion that at least two goal line clearances may have been after the ball had already crossed the line. One looked like it hit the top of the net and came out (a lesson for those putting up the nets) whilst Ryan's in swinging corner may have had help from the wind in sending it into the net before the clearance came. Nathan also almost scored with a diving header, but was put under pressure by our very own Robbie Lawrence and headed the ball over.
The best chance by far for the Oaks to take the lead came when Harry played an inviting ball across the box to the far post where an Oaks player was waiting unmarked. 99 times out of 100 you would put all Sharpy's money on this player burying the ball, but as it was even two swipes weren't enough for Nathan to finish the job on this occasion.
As if Nathan didn't feel bad enough, he then took the blame for the Oaks going behind when, after being moved to centre back to allow Sharpy to come on in midfield, Nathan missed an overhead clearance (again a 1 in 100 occurrence), and the Pegasus striker raced clear to score. This was only the third proper attempted they had created in the game (the second lead to the ball being blasted over from 8 yards), but it was enough to put them in a good position to take all three points: 1-2.
Most of the players in the current Oaks side have tasted plenty of defeat in the past, but our recent good form has obviously left us with a more refined palette; and losing is most definitely off the menu.
Within minutes we were back on level terms, as Tapsell found himself with time and space on the edge of the penalty area. With options left and right, he made the wise decision to play the ball to Ryan, who had been left totally unmarked on the left hand side of the box. Those who felt Ryan had waited too long to pull the trigger were proved wrong, as he unleashed a rasping side footed shot that flew over the keeper before hitting the underside of the crossbar and bouncing over the line. He may have displayed a Balotelli-esq lack of emotion on getting the Oaks back in the game, but I'm sure deep down he was as happy as the rest of us (and almost as happy as I imagine his dad, Alec, was on seeing him get up in the first half after fearing any chance of grand children may have been lost).
Despite our best efforts to grab all three points, it wasn't to be on this occasion and we had to settle for just the one. Still, at least it means Ty still shouldn't be allowed to cut his hair. If his challenge only applies to league games, a win next week could mean Cousin It will be carving the Owen Christmas Turkey this year.
Eye-Ball
Next game: Sunday 4th December @ Home v Jacks Lads - 1030 K.O.
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