Brema United 5 - 4 Oaks Athletic

We may have lost this match, but I for one handed my flag back to the referee with an immense feeling of pride at being an Oaks player. I was proud for the way we played, especially given that the memories of the 8-2 humiliation at Brema's hands were still relatively fresh. Compared to our opposition, I was also proud of the way we conducted ourselves and supported each other. The way Brema's wholly unpleasant manager chastised and berated his own team - let alone his lack of respect for us - and the fighting between team-mates, reminded me that I'd much rather play for a team that loses every week but can have a laugh about it down the pub afterwards.

The Oaks lose a little ground on fifth spot

With 7 games left to play, Milesy wants to give everyone as much game time as possible and so rested Eye-Ball to give Browne a much deserved 90 minutes. The only other change was in the formation, with Harry replacing the injured Mikey and partnering Dale in attack.

subs: Scott, Nick, Eye-Ball, Parker

The Oaks were by far the better team in the first half. By playing a deep line, we were able to nullify the threat posed by Brema's tricky strikers, and Ryan, Tapsell, Bunny and Nathan were on top in the midfield. So much so that time and time again they found time and space to release Dale and Harry, who were exploiting the high line being played by the opposition and making great runs in behind. We all know that our game is about picking out through balls for the strikers at the earliest opportunity, but for much of this season Dale has been the only target. With H there in support we had double the options, and the two young strikers were running the Brema defence ragged. Their movement was superb, and their willingness to chase down everything lead to the opening goal for the Oaks. Tapsell's searching ball into the box from the right found the Brema keeper and defender in disagreement over who would deal with it. This left the surprised H with the chance to sneak between them and redirect the ball past the keeper with the outside of his boot: 0-1.

Despite the Oaks dominance, Brema were still a big threat when they got into our box, and when the ball was played back in following a set piece, the defence didn't quite move out quick enough, and the ball was tapped into the net from 6 yards. They were also the next team to get the ball in the net, but when the striker volleyed the ball home following a flick on, Eye-Ball correctly flagged for offside (squad!): 1-1.

The Oaks continued their good worked, and they deservedly reclaimed the lead when Ryan picked out H with a diagonal ball from left to right. H raced into the box and finished superbly; smashing the ball into the roof of the net: 1-2.

With H getting a lot of the attention, Dale was finding a lot of space which, with the help of the supply from midfield, he was fully exploiting. Unfortunately Dale was having a rare off day in front of goal, and a number of chances he would have usually easily converted were missed. The best chance of all was from a fantastic defence splitting ball from Nathan. Dale raced clear, but with only the keeper to beat the ball was blazed over the bar. The person who was most critical of these missed chances was Dale himself, but it is hard to be too harsh when 90% of the work is getting into those goal scoring positions in the first place, and there has not been anybody better than Dale at this to play for the Oaks in recent years.

With Brema's attacking threat, there was always a danger that we would be made to rue these missed chances, and so it was when a hopeful ball towards goal took the slightest of deflections that took it away from Connor and into the back of the net: 2-2.

There were a lot fewer clear cut chances in the opening exchanges of the second half, and it took a fluky cross/shot to give Brema an undeserved lead. The ball was struck with venom from the left edge of the penalty area, and found its way into the net via the near post: 3-2.

With Oaks now chasing the game gaps started to appear, and Brema found more space to exploit their dangerous attacking options. The Oaks conceded again, with Browne getting caught last man, and despite his valiant effort on the line the ball still crept over. A fifth quickly followed when a deflected shot fortuitously fell to a Brema player on the edge of the six yard box, and he had the easy job of tapping home: 5-2.

There is no way that the Oaks deserved to be 3 goals down, and they could easily have put their heads down and felt sorry for themselves. To the contrary, they showed great character and pride to keep pushing right up to the final whistle. With Scott and Nick on for H and Bunny the intent was shown to keep attacking. Even Niki got in on the action, but couldn't squeeze the ball past the five bodies that were between him and the goal when the ball fell to him in the area. The Oaks were always vulnerable to being caught on the break now, and great commitment was shown firstly by Tapsell - who raced back to intercept a goal bound effort and redirect it onto the bar thanks to applying the perfect amount of shin, and Connor who was left to defend on his own following an Oaks corner, and raced off his line to make a perfectly timed tackle some 35 yards from the comfort of his own goal.

You can't keep Dale out of the goals for long, and he got the Oaks back to within a goal of a remarkable comeback. Firstly he was played in down the left by Bunny, and for the first time decided to give his left foot a go. It proved an inspired choice as the ball curled away from the keeper and entered the goal via the far post: 5-3.

Dale's second - and the Oaks fourth - came via the penalty spot. Nathan finally got his assist when his shot was blocked by hands inside the box. Dale stepped up, and despite the best efforts of the opposition to put him off, he stroked the ball calmly into the back of the net: 5-4.

The final ten minutes were set up for the Oaks to find an equaliser, and Ryan came within inches of supplying it. His cracking drive on the run from 30 yards was destined for the top corner, and it took a great save from Brema's keeper to keep it out.

The Oaks may have left with no points, but through this performance they should have gained a lot of self belief and team spirit that should convince us that we can have an enjoyable and successful last 6 games of the season.

Eye-Ball

Next game: Sunday 17th March - Away @ Orsett Rec v SSC Orsett - 10:30 k.o.

Goal scoring chart