Thameside 1 - 3 Oaks Athletic

On their return to league action, The Oaks came from behind to take all three points against old rivals Thameside. The opposition gained promotion with the Oaks last season, but the gulf in quality that saw the Oaks defeat them three times last year and finish 15 points ahead seems to have only got wider. We all noted that they seemed to have lost some of the fight and competitiveness that made them tough to beat last year, but as is normal we only really moved out of second gear and cruised home once Thameside took the lead.


The Oaks move up two places to fifth

It was pretty typical that, with Milesy absent, all sorts of issues should face the stand in player-manager. Most pressing for Nathan was the lack of players. There was no sign of Connor (he later turned up once we had kicked off having got confused between meet and kick-off times), and Tapsell and Browne were having to attend to some urgent business. The team was therefore announced about 3 minutes before kick-off, with Deano volunteering to wear the gloves.

ppppppppppppppppDeano (c)

BrowneppppppRobppppNikippppEye-Ball

RyanppppppTapsellpppppMikeyppppppScott

pppppppppppppNathanppppDale

subs: Bunny, Connor


There wasn't much to savour in the first half as the Oaks seemed happy to cruise along without looking to dominate the opposition. The best chances fell to Dale, with the first being put on a plate for him by his brother. Ryan's low cross from the right left Dale knowing that any touch from 6 yards out would see the ball end up in the back of the net. Unfortunately a bobble (that's what Dale called it anyway) got the better of our prolific goal scorer and the ball continued on its merry way. Dale's second chance deserved more than just the thud of leather on metal, as he skipped on to a through ball and, running away from goal, lifted the ball first time over the keeper only for the upright to come to Thameside's rescue.

The only other contribution worthy of note was that of Deano in goal. Much like in a night club, where Deano is often observed marking his territory by strutting about with his chest puffed out, the six yard box was his new manor. Any ball or player who encroached was swiftly dealt with as he succeeded in keeping a clean sheet to the end of the half.

Nathan's half time decisions were made easier by the fact that Scott had to get to work, and Deano was struggling with an injury. This meant Bunny replacing Scott on the left and Connor relieving Deano of his duties.

As I have already mentioned, Thameside took the lead early in the second half through a soft goal. The usually impenetrable Oaks defence parted like the red sea to allow the Thameside striker to break into the box. He hit the ball powerfully and although Connor got a hand to it, the ball still nestled in the back of the net: 1-0.

This goal sprung the Oaks into life, with one player in particular taking it upon himself to drive the team forward. A popular member of the squad, Steve Browne is often overlooked but still turns up week in week out to support his team and his friends. However, on this occasion he was guaranteed 90 minutes of football and boy did he make the most of it. It was Steve who was responsible for getting the Oaks back on level terms when he put in a delicious cross from the right that was perfect for Dale to nod into the net from 8 yards: 1-1.

The Oaks were in complete control now, and it didn't take long for them to take the lead. Inside the box, Mikey showed great skill to send his opposite number the wrong way with a Cruyff turn. His subsequent cross from the bye-line looped up off a defender, enabling Rob to get to the ball in front of the keeper and head home: 1-2.

It wasn't all plain sailing for the Oaks, and some good defending was needed at the other end. First Tapsell took up a good position and some how managed to head the ball over from under our cross bar, following a well struck free kick from the edge of the box. Then Browne showed what tough stuff Oaks full backs are made of when he bravely won a header in the box and got a whack on the head for his trouble. An almighty roar and a few rubs were all that was needed for him to be ready to commence battle again. Connor and Browne then combined with the former just getting enough on an attempted lob to stop it going over the line, and the latter being on hand to clear the ball to safety. Then for the second week running Eye-Ball cleared the ball behind precariously close to his own goal when a cross-come-shot was glanced wide with his head.

With this pressure averted, it was crucial that the Oaks put the game beyond doubt. Thankfully Eye-Ball's half time shooting advice was taken on board as Ryan won the ball from a Thameside goal kick, and his nod down was pounced on by Dale. He raced clear and finished in style past the helpless keeper: 1-3.

It's not often that we discuss man of the match awards, but everyone agreed that this accolade should be bestowed on Steve Browne for an outstanding display that saw him terrorise the opposition with his runs down the right, whilst also bravely defending the Oaks advantage. He was also agonisingly close to getting his first Oaks goal to add to the first assist he had already collected. Tapsell played the ball into Dale from the left, but he let the ball run on (deliberately this time I think) into the path of the onrushing Browne whose first time shot stung the hands of the keeper as he pushed it to safety. This great move and Steve's effort deserved more, but it wasn't to be on this occasion and we had to be happy with a convincing 3-1 victory that was welcome after a couple of tough weeks.

Eye-Ball

Next game: Sunday 16th December @ home v Brema Utd - 1030 Kick off

Goal scoring chart

Dynamo Basildon 3 - 3 Oaks Athletic (aet, 5-3 pens) (Essex Junior Cup 3rd Round)

The Oaks may have missed out on a place in the 4th round of the Essex Cup by the narrowest of margins, but the good team spirit and togetherness shown made this a day to be proud to be a member of the Oaks squad. We may not have been taking this as seriously as the league, but there is no reason why we can't compete whilst having this much fun every week.

It was a pretty funny day all round. First there was the comedy of finding the right ground (there were far too many to choose from), then the incredible demountable changing rooms that were like something from a 1970s Pontins site, and where it was colder inside than the sub zero temperature outside. Next we had the frozen solid pitch that was left for 20 minutes after the original kick-off time to gradually turn into a giant slush puppy in the winter sun. Then there was the starting line up...

ppppppppppppppppConnor

Deano (c)ppppppMillyppppNikippppBrowne

ppppppppppppppppGollum

ParkerppppppTapsellpppppMikeyppppppEye-Ball

pppppppppppppppppHarry

subs: Nathan, Rob, Bunny, Dale, Ryan


It was an honour to once again be playing in a team that included Oaks legends Gollum and Parker. If you've never seen these boys in action before then ask your grandparents. It was just like the good old days, with Gollum stretching those long legs to tackle people from 20 yards away, and Parker falling over in comical fashion on the right wing.

In truth the Oaks were struggling a little to adapt to the new formation, and it says a lot that the best chance of the half fell to Eye-Ball, who was moonlighting as a tricky number 9 on the left wing. He broke free of the defence to latch onto a through ball from Tapsell, but as the keeper came out his standing foot sank in the mud and his effort skewed wide (there is absolutely no doubt this chance would have been buried if conditions had been better). You could also argue that the pressure of wearing the number 9 shirt with a legendary Oaks number 9 on the pitch proved a little too much.

As it was the Oaks went into half time a goal down when one of the handful of quality players Basildon possessed broke free and lobbed the ball over Connor and into the net: 1-0.

With the hard work of defrosting the pitch complete, Milesy brought on the big guns for the second half. Ryan, Dale, Bunny, Rob and Nathan replaced Browne, Harry, Deano, Parker and Gollum. Basildon had some good players, but there was not doubt that we were the better side in the second half. However it took another goal from Basildon - a long range effort that would have been too good for any keeper - to finally fire us into life: 2-0.

The Oaks got back into the game thanks to a familiar routine that had a new beneficiary. Ryan delivered a quality corner from the left, and Rob, rather than Tapsell, arrived late at the back post to nod the ball into the net: 2-1.

The Oaks were now in control and pushing for the equaliser as Basildon put every man behind the ball. Mikey went off for Harry (roll on subs remember) and the Oaks pushed more men forward with Rob advancing to leave just three at the back. It took a while, but the equaliser finally came with two minutes of normal time remaining. Connor punted the ball up field and Dale laid it off to Tapsell on the edge of the area. His low drive was perfectly placed in the bottom corner and the Oaks had once again overcome the odds to keep themselves in a cup match: 2-2.

The momentum was with the Oaks as we moved into extra time, and when Dale slid the ball into the net following the keeper's parry from H's well struck shot, it looked like an unlikely turn around (and the possibility of a trip to Bishops Stortford) was on the cards. It was almost put beyond doubt when Dale broke free of the defence, but the keeper saved well: 2-3.

Unfortunately the Oaks couldn't hold on to the end of extra time, when with a few minutes to go the ball was played over the top for Basildon's striker to latch onto. Despite Eye-Ball getting back to make the sliding block, the ball went through both him and Connor and into the net: 3-3.

Even then there was time for one last moment of drama as a Basildon player played the ball across the face of the goal with a team mate waiting at the back post to slide it into an empty net. However, Eye-Ball was on hand to clear the ball over the cross bar from six yards (believe it or not I actually backed myself to miss the target from that range).

So it was that the game would be decided by the dreaded penalty shootout. The Oaks were not short of volunteers, as when Milesy asked for 5 to step forward, about 8 did. The order that was decided was Dale, Tapsell, Nathan, Harry and Ryan. Basildon went first, and the first 7 penalties were expertly dispatched. Harry then stepped up and struck his kick down the middle only for the diving keeper's trailing leg to block the ball. Basildon’s final kick was dispatched and that was it, the Oaks were out and Dynamo Basildon progressed to the 4th round.

Harry was comforted by his team mates; someone has to miss and at least he stood up and volunteered to take one. It's especially cruel when a game finishes like this, as it is always the final act that is remembered. However, if you think about it so many other things could have stopped this ending on another day. If the keeper hadn't save Dale's earlier effort, or even if Eye-Ball had blazed the ball into the roof of his own net rather than over the bar, the game would have ended differently. On the plus side, all the division two league games were cancelled so we're no further behind, and we can now concentrate on league and cup games in Thurrock. I think it has been a really good experience for us to play a few teams outside of Thurrock, and we showed we are up to the test. At least one home game would have been nice, but it's been fun nonetheless.

On a sadder note, Al Blake (who was at the game to watch) has decided to leave the Oaks to join Ventura. Blake is a really good young footballer, and a popular member of the Oaks double winning squad. We'll therefore all be sorry to see him go, but understand his desire to get a regular starting position. Our loss is definitely Ventura's gain, and hopefully we'll still see him down at the Ship. I'm sure everyone would agree that it would be great to see him back in purple again at some point in the future if he decides he'd like to come back.

Eye-Ball

Next game: Sunday 9th December - Away v Thameside @ Blackshots - 11:00 K.O.

Goal Scoring Chart: