Oaks Athletic 7 - 0 Thameside

This game started with Eye-Ball having a minor moan about the fact that the majority of the team were busy getting themselves ready for the match, whilst four of us struggled to get the goals and nets up. However, if the lads promise to play like they did every week, I'll put the posts up, mow the grass, paint the lines, clean all the boots and wax Parker's back. Thameside must be absolutely sick of the sight of us. That's now five wins for the Oaks over two seasons, with and aggregate score of 17-4. The gap in quality that led to a 15 point difference at the end of last season seems to have grown, as in the past the Oaks have never won by more than two goals against a Thameside team who were always up for a battle and defensively solid. They now seem to be severely lacking in quality, especially at the back where every ball caused panic and disarray.


7 points from 3 games sees the Oaks stretch away from those below whilst keeping pace with Springhouse who also won against Greyhound

Steve had asked some players if they would volunteer to sit out this game, but it isn't surprising that everyone wants to play and in the end it was only Nathan who was rested.

ppppppppppppppppConnor

Deano (c)ppppppRobppppNiki ppppEye-Ball

BunnyppppppTapsellpppppMikeyppppppRyan

pppppppppppppHarryppppDale

subs: Gollum, Browne, Nick, Scott


The Oaks are renowned as slow starters, but they got off to a flyer this time and were three nil up in no time. With Dale stepping in for long throw duties, his first effort at hurling the ball into the box was met with a glancing header from Tapsell, which was directed perfectly for the top corner: 1-0.

The second goal was quite something, and started with Deano collecting the ball under pressure in his own half. He wriggled clear of the danger before laying the ball off and continuing his run up the line. He collected it again and played it on to Tapsell, who lofted the ball over his head into the area. All the while Deano had continued his run to goal, but it looked to have been a wasted journey with the keeper odds on favourite to collect the bouncing ball. However, Sharpy must have put money on the unlucky goalie, who let the ball slip through his fingers leaving Deano to nod the ball into an empty net: 2-0.

If the second goal was a touch ridiculous, the third was truly sublime. Ryan collected the ball on the left and took on the right back before making it to the byeline. He then put in a fantastic left foot cross that was met by a flying Bunny, who made a firm connection despite almost over-running the flight of the ball. The ball flew off his head and rocketed inside the far post: 3-0.

Whilst the goals were flying in at one end, at the other the Oaks defenders were trying their hardest to gain another clean sheet. Niki was leading this fight, and was always in the right place to win the headers or cut out the through balls. One particularly brave clearance in the penalty area resulted in him getting a nasty kick to the thigh, but fortunately he was able to shake it off and continue to lead the charge.

The Oaks added a fourth goal before the interval when Bunny cleared long from a corner, and Thameside's high line was caught out as Dale raced past them, and H, before beating the keeping to the ball and slotting into an empty net: 4-0.

The same team started the second half, and continued where they left off. H was making a rare start, and was having a great game as his pace and energy was more than Thameside's fragile defence could handle. He also showed what a formidable partnership he makes with Dale, who was grateful to have someone to talk to having spent a number of lonely weeks up front on his own. The two strikers combined for the fifth goal when H played a short pass in behind the defence that Dale ran onto before firing low back across the keeper and into the corner of the net: 5-0.

Bunny has been meaning to change his decaying boots for some weeks, but every time he decides to do it he scores another goal with them. In the second half of this game the left one gave up completely. Rather than risk completely spoiling his luck, he chose to just change the left one. I imagine it must have felt a bit weird, wearing different boots, but fortunately it didn't affect his heading ability, as he arrived unmarked at the back post to head Ryan's corner into the net: 6-0.

We now had two players on a hat-trick, and H seemed to be determined to help his team-mates complete this most sought after achievement. First he played a deep diagonal ball that was perfectly weighted to get over the defender and fall onto Bunny's foot. Bunny's touch with that trusty boot was sublime, as he brought the ball down and opened his body to the goal in one move. All that was needed now was the finish, and although there was nothing wrong with the shot, the keeper pulled off a great save to deny Bunny his hat-trick.

H wasn't to be denied his hat-trick assist a second time, and showed great tenacity to hassle the defender into making a mistake. With only the goal keeper now to beat, he unselfishly crossed the ball for Dale to tap into an empty net, and in doing so collect his third hat-trick of the season and 21st goal in total: 7-0.

This goal was Dale's last contribution as he was replaced by the returning Nick. Browne and Gollum also came on shortly after for Tapsell and Eye-Ball. The goals may have dried up, but there was still time for some drama as a penalty was harshly awarded against Connor as he went up to challenge for the ball, but was deemed to have punched too much of the player. Despite his best efforts, the clean sheet was kept in tact as Stu put the ball wide despite the overwhelming desire from his manager and team mates for him to get the kick (hence why we all now know his name).

Next week's game against AFC Blackshots is going to be a much sterner test, and one that we will have to take on without the impressive H, who is off to Sheffield for the weekend. All the pressure is on Blackshots, who can't afford to drop points if they are to make up ground on Brema, and if we play with the same confidence and energy that we have displayed over the last few weeks, the opposition are going to have to be at their best to get any points off us.

Eye-Ball

Next game: Sunday 24th February @ home v AFC Blackshots - 10:30 k.o.

Goal scoring chart