Games involving the Oaks are becoming as predictable as a budget porn movie. We soften up the opposition and take the lead, but rather than finishing the job early we over do the foreplay, concede a sloppy goal and let the opposition think they can get away with more than they bargained for. Eye-Ball takes one in the face, and we rely on Harry to provide the money shot. Although it might not be pretty the desired outcome is achieved, and as it is people only really tune in to see the t....(team) and ch....(chart).
Milesy made two changes for this game as Niki came in for his first start to replace the injured Deano, and Sharpy was given a run upfront in place of Nick.
ppppppppppppppppTy
LukeppppppRobppppNikippppEye-Ball
Nathan (c)ppppppMikey BpppppTapsellppppppRyan
ppppppppppSharpyppppHarry
subs: Steve, Gavin, Jordan, Joe, Nick
New player introduction: Niki "Lawsie" Laws
Best attributes Provides a vocal presence at the heart of defence, and has a a level head that is sometimes lacking in the Oaks team. Great positional sense and strong in the air, Niki's composure and love of defending make him a perfect addition to a defensive unit that is probably the best in the league (but then I would say that).
Lawsie joins an elite group of Oaks players who: have an officially trademarked Oaks Athletic nickname; joining Eye-Ball, Tapsie, Steptoe, Weeeeeeed, the BFJ, No-Fun and "that nob in the purple shirt" (a general nickname that is shared around as required).
The Oaks took the lead in the first half when a good passing move lead to Nathan's near post shot being well saved by the keeper. Nathan did eventually finish the job from Ryan's inswinging corner, as he rose highest to head home from six yards: 1-0.
The Oaks were unable to increase their lead in the first half despite totally dominating the opposition, and when half-time eventually arrived the score was 1-0.
The second half didn't go as well as planned and we conceded a bizarre goal to let Jacks Lads back into the game. Under pressure from three opposition players, Ty failed to gather the ball cleanly in the area, and as the ball broke and was fired across goal Robbie instinctively threw up an arm to clear the ball from danger.
I felt a little sorry for the referee who was being watch by an assessor and, like a teacher on Ofsted, went completely over the top with his application of the laws of the game. Prior to the match we were lined up like naughty school children on the edge of the 18 yard box as our boots and attire were scrutinised, and anyone straying from the line was reprimanded. We were told everything would be by the book, but unfortunately for him he had some decisions to make in this game that needed a bit more knowledge than the correct procedure for a substitution. The first big decision was to award a penalty when Weed had the flag raised for offside, and to only book Robbie when it was clear that he was going to send him off before Nathan convinced him otherwise. The penalty was converted (twice) and the Oaks had let the opposition back into the game. 1:1.
The rest of the half was full of missed chances: Sharpy's shot went wide when the keeper dropped the ball at his feet, Nathan was unable to convert a chance from the right that is usually his bread and butter, Tapsell's drilled free kick went wide of the goal by a gnat's whisker, and Mikey's left footed dipping volley from the edge of the area was deflected from the top corner by the flying Jacks Lads keeper.
All these missed opportunities put more pressure on the Oaks defence to keep out the opposition, which they did by any means possible, including Eye-Ball blocking a rasping volley from point blank range with his face. The opposition actually seemed to show more concern than his team mates, but then this isn't an unfamiliar sight for them.
Not for the first time this season, it was our two youngest players (the acorns you could say...) who showed the rest of us how it should be done. Ryan broke from midfield and played the ball out to Harry on the left. He advanced towards the goal, and although his shot wasn't great, it had enough pace to squeeze through the keeper's legs and trickle over the line: 2-1.
The Oaks held on to the lead for the remaining twenty minutes, with the game ending in bizarre circumstances as Nick - who had come on for Sharpy - tried to slow down the keeper as he looked to take a quick goal kick. Nick then put the player on the edge of the area under pressure, won the ball and then was brought down as he looked to round the keeper. The ref's immediate reaction was to point to the spot, but then with Nick rolling around on the ground indecision seemed to set in again. Should Nick have been penalised for being in the area when the goal kick was taken? Had he played advantage that had then ended by the time Nick regained possession? Should the penalty stand in which case would he have to send the keeper off? Or could he avoid making any decision at all by blowing the final whistle before any definitive action was taken?
You can probably guess what he went for, much to the annoyance and surprise of many of the Oaks players who were busy discussing who was to be given the opportunity to climb the goal scoring chart.
While this strange ending took some gloss of the result, we should be pleased to get another three points, and shouldn't be surprised that teams like Jacks Lads are proving a tougher challenge the second time round. I don't know what people used to think when they saw a game against the Oaks on the fixture list, but imagine that while they expected a tough encounter, they would have felt three point should be achievable. Now we are the team everyone wants to beat rather than the team that should be beaten, and everyone is going to raise their game against us as they look to be the first to slay the mighty Oaks. As long as we can keep our game above the level of our opposition (as we are more than capable of doing), there is no reason why we can't carry on winning.
Eye-Ball
Goal scoring chart
1 comment:
Tapsie doesn't count as a nickname!
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