For the penultimate game of the season Milesy mixed the team up a little with Luke deputising in goal after Ty had volunteered to sit out, Niki returning and Browne earning a start at left back:
ppppppppppppppppLuke
Deano (c)ppppppRobppppNikippppBrowne
NathanppppppTapsellpppppBunnyppppppRyan
ppppppppppppSharpyppppNick
subs: Al, Parker, Gollum, Eye-Ball
The less said about the first half the better. The Oaks were really off the boil, as possession was too easily given up and Belhus were able to press and frustrate the double winners. However, it was still a surprise to see Belhus take the lead when a speculative effort from the Oaks' right caught Luke off his line and dipped into the net: 0-1.
A one nil deficit with 70 minutes to play against the bottom side in the league really shouldn't have been a cause for concern; especially when you consider that we've scored at least 4 goals in each of our last 6 league games. It may have taken the Oaks a little longer than usual to get going, but parity was restored before half time when a N.A.T.H.A.N. alluded everyone before brushing a defender on its way into the net. Obviously Nathan can't be credited with the goal, but does pick up the assist. Interestingly this goal also meant a late entry into the goal scoring chart for Own Goals; with this being the first scored on our behalf this season: 1-1.
As frustrating as the first half was for the large crowd of Oaks supporters to endure, the second half was an absolute hoot. The Oaks finally found their rhythm, and looked to be thoroughly enjoying themselves while crushing any hope Belhus may of had of dragging themselves off the foot of the table.
The lead was taken when Ryan ran diagonally from left to right, and chose to play a difficult reverse ball over the top rather than the simpler pass out to the right to Nathan. The risk paid off as his ball was latched onto by Sharpy who finished superbly; lofting the ball over the tall keeper and into the onion bag: 2-1.
This will be the last game of the season for Sharpy, who goes in for a long overdue operation on Friday. It's been an up and down season for Sharpy who has had to fight for his place with Nick and Harry forming such a prolific partnership. He hasn't always helped himself, but no-one will be prouder of what the Oaks have achieved this year, and a fine return of 12 goals despite limited starting opportunities proves what an asset he can be for this club when he has his head screwed on. Unfortunately I don't think we can convince the surgeons to sort that out while he is in, but I'm sure the whole squad will join me in wishing Sharpy all the best, and we hope to see him in an Oaks shirt again soon.
Sharpy's second goal was converted from the penalty spot after Nathan had been sent tumbling in the box. Sharpy took responsibility despite Nick being on the pitch, but the BFJ still deserves credit for teaching Sharpy how to score from 12 yards, with power over placement being the evident order of the day with the ball being smashed into the roof of the net: 3-1.
So often the provider, Ryan has started to cash in with the goals himself in recent weeks and notched up his 9th of the season as a well struck shot from the left took a deflection before nestling in the back of the net. The assist for this goal is up for grabs as I can't remember who made the final pass (too busy waving my flag around): 4-1.
With the game surely won Milesy went sub crazy; making three in one go and rewarding a couple of Oaks old boys for their loyalty with some well deserved game time. Parker replaced Browne at left back, Gollum slotted into midfield in place of Bunny and Al Blake replaced Nathan, who damaged his foot in a tackle and unfortunately will miss the last game of the season.
The change in personnel did not affect the Oaks dominance, and they soon scored a fifth when Bunny tapped home into an empty net after Tapsell's shot inside the box had been well saved. The keeper was determined to keep Tapsell from scoring, as earlier in the half he pulled of an incredible save to stop a header from the cup hero: 5-1.
No one has enjoyed this season more than the BFJ; like many of us he has experienced little success on the football pitch up to now, and being part of such a great side with so much competition for places has seen him really up his game this season, and more than double his goal tally from the previous campaign. He openly admits that finishing top scorer would be the icing on the cake, and would have fancied his chances of at least getting level with H given that the prolific youngster was missing through injury. He left it late to get on the score sheet, but it was well worth the wait as this individual effort is up there with the best goals we have scored this year (and there have been a few). With a corner successfully defended, Nick collected the ball on the right (another assist up for grabs here) inside his own half and ran some 60 yards down the right hand side of the pitch, and into the box. At this point he was spoilt for options: he could pull it back for either Nathan or Tapsell, or better still play it across the goal to Sharpy who was ready to tap the ball home and complete his hat-trick. However, having done all the hard work himself you can't blame him for wanting to collect the prize, and that he did, finishing in style low across the keeper. Given that Sharpy was still a little upset not to receive the pass, I hate to think what would have happened if Nick had missed. To score under that sort of pressure emphasises the quality of this goal in my opinion: 6-1.
With yet another victory secure, all that was left for the Oaks to do was collect their league winners medals, pose for a few photos and head off to the Ship to do the one thing we arguably do better than playing football: drink and be merry!
Eye-Ball
Next game: Sunday 29th April - Away v Wilburn Wanderers @ Belhus Park: 1030 Kick Off
2 comments:
erm u got bunny scoring after he was subbed manager
Also how can I (Nathan) be up in the box with taps when I was subbed lol
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