There are almost three leagues forming in div 1, with the Oaks competing in the second tier
We had reported back to Milesy that George & Dragon had overrun us in midfield on our previous encounter, so this time 5 in midfield was the tactic to match our opponents. Gollum stepped up for the injured Mikey to provide the defensive cover that should allow Tapsell and Bunny to prevent any build up play that had troubled us before.
ppppppppppppppppConnorDeano (c)ppppppRobppppNikippppEye-Ball
ppppppppppppppppGollum
NathanppppppTapsellpppppBunnyppppppRyan
pppppppppppppppppDale
subs: Harry, Browne, Scott, Parker
The first half was dominated by the Oaks, with Tapsell and Bunny winning the physical battle in the middle whilst Gollum was his usual disruptive self. Our biggest problem was getting support for Dale, who battled valiantly but was often a lonely figure up the top of the pitch. When Ryan and Nathan did break forward the only option was an all too predictable one that George and Dragon were more than capable of dealing with. At the other end of the pitch it was a similar story, with George and Dragon's single striker proving pretty ineffective against a well drilled and experienced Oaks back four that was buoyed by the return of Niki and Deano. Despite all this the Oaks found themselves two nil down at half time. Connor has proven himself to be a fine young keeper since joining the Oaks, which is why it was such a surprise to us all to see two goals conceded in the manner they were. The first one was a speculative strike from the edge of the area which lacked power but dipped late, catching Connor off his line and dropping over his head and into the net. The second was an almost identical finish, but this time from a controversially awarded free kick following a coming together between Niki and Tapsell that surely shouldn't have resulted in a free kick to the opposition: 0-2. With the Oaks now chasing the game, tactics had to be changed for the second half. H replaced Gollum and the Oaks went 4-4-2. This made a big difference, and the George and Dragon defence were far more stretched against two young, quick strikers who were prepared to work hard and chase everything. H especially showed his ability to time runs in behind the defence, but unfortunately his finishing was nowhere near as sharp as it had been when he found the net 17 times last season. The best of his chances was created by Niki, who fed a sublime ball in between the defenders only for H to shoot straight at the keeper. H wasn't the only one failing the make the most of the chances we were creating, and when the ball wasn't flying high and wide of the target the George and Dragon keeper and defence were pulling of last ditch saves and tackles to deny the Oaks. On one particular occasion Ryan met a cross from the right, but headed the ball into the ground giving the keeper a chance to scramble across and make the save. Another chance saw Scott (on for Bunny) put a cross into the six yard box, which no one quite managed to get on the end of. The Oaks really didn't deserve to be two nil down, but then things were to get even worse as they conceded twice more in the second half. The third goal was an inevitable consequence of committing too many men forward for a corner as we desperately searched for a goal to get us back in the game. Dragon cleared the ball and broke in number leaving Eye-Ball and Connor with the impossible task of preventing a goal scoring chance. We were shown how it should be done as the ball was rolled into the bottom corner: 0-3. The fourth goal was a combination of a mix up and bad luck, as with many players crowded around the edge of the 18 yards box Niki attempted to clear the ball towards the left of the pitch. Eye-Ball, who was only 5 yards away was unsure whether the ball was meant for him, and what would be the consequence of letting it past. It turns out that trying to control it was the wrong move, and he ended up giving an assist to the grateful Dragon player who was all too happy to smash the ball into the net: 0-4. Surely, with 20 minutes left, there was no way back for the Oaks, and when Tapsell stroked the ball into the back of the net after a Robin flick on from a Nathan throw, a consolation goal was all many expected this to be. The truth was quite different, as it sparked what was almost another famous Oaks comeback. About 5 minutes after this goal Tapsell turned provider as he slipped the ball through for H who finally found his range and slide the ball past the keeper and into the net: 2-4. The Oaks were now throwing everything forward, which in turn left George and Dragon with opportunities to break. However, Connor - pulling off a great diving save to his left, and Browne (on for Eye-Ball) - an outstanding block tackle in the box - kept George and Dragon feeling the nerves and the Oaks dreams of gaining something from the game alive. The Oaks were now being spurred on by some additional fans as Dragon's title rivals AFC Blackshots had come across to see if the Oaks could do them a favour following the completion of their game. They were there to see the Oaks pull back another goal with 5 minutes to go when the keeper could only palm the ball into the middle of the box as he climbed over his on players following a long throw into the box from Nathan. Deano reacted first, claimed the ball as his own, and fired it into the roof of the net: 3-4. The Oaks created one final chance, but Rob couldn't react quickly enough when the ball bounced in front of him in the box and ended up hitting him in the face. If only there had been another five minutes the Oaks surely would have scored again, but it wasn't to be and George and Dragon were very relieved to hear the final whistle that gave them a lucky escape with all three points. The result may not have been the one we wanted, but this was a good performance and an enjoyable game. As long as we play like this as a team every week there will surely be more good days than bad. Eye-Ball Next game: away v Kynoch Sports @ Pegasus Club - 1030 k.o. Goal scoring chart
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