This was a game largely dictated by the wind, and if you pardon an old cliche, a game of two halves
With the oaks resting the Kenyons (it is marathon season afterall) It was an opportunity for a couple of the Oaks longer serving players to get a run out, namely Sharpy and Gollum.
Nathan handed the team by Milesy that looked like
subs: Ryan, Dale, Bunny
The first half kicked off and the wind was to play a major part, with the Oaks struggling to get out of their own half for long periods. Mossops created few clear cut chances despite their territorial advantage. However, midway through the first half they finally made it count when quick feet from probably their best player saw him beat a couple of players and fire low into the corner from the edge of the box, 1-0 Mossops.
Mossops continued to put pressure on, albeit wind assisted, but the Oaks stood firm until just before half time, when one of the few attacks we did mount resulted in a ball over the top seeing Nathan race onto it, right side of the area. Mossops keeper come running out like David James the night after playing his PS2 and duly took him out resulting in an Oaks penalty.
Sharpy put the ball on the spot, despite Jose Luis Chilavert - I mean Connor - coming forward looking to take it. He smashed the ball high into the centre, no mistake and the Oaks went into half time one apiece.
The Oaks made a couple of changes at half time, The Kenyons replacing Brownie and Gollum respectively, with Mikey slotting in at Left Back and Sharpy dropping back into Midfield.
The wind was to again dictate the game, as this time it was the Oaks turn to enjoy vast periods spent in the oppostion half.
The Oaks began to create chances, and whilst a few were squandered, they finally took the break through with one of the few actually decent footballing moments of the game, when a decent move saw Dale get in behind the Mossops defence on the right side of the box. He picked out a good square ball to Ryan who tucked home from 2 yards (something many an Oaks player has found difficult this season) 2-1 Oaks
As quickly as the Oaks had gained the lead, they gave it away. One of only a handful of Mossops attacks in the 2nd half saw a cross watched by the Oaks defence, as the centre forward stole in to flick the ball home from close range. 2-2.
From here on the Oaks piled on the pressure, yet struggled to string a pass together or play much football. The gap in quality did finally show through however albeit from a more tradition Oaks attack. A long throw from Dale saw Ash, who had recently replaced Nathan, steal in at the back post to nod home. Not too long after, Taps played a long searching ball, that saw Bunny hit it first time on the half volley from the right side of the box, the shot looping over the keeper, giving Bunny his 2nd, and the goal of the game. 4-2 the Oaks and that was pretty much that.
Goal Scoring Chart:
Next game: Sunday 21st April @ Home v Springhouse
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