Oaks Athletic 2 - 8 Brema United

Some believed that the conclusion of the Mayan Calendar would bring the end of the world on 21st December 2012. At 1032 on Sunday 16th December, the Oaks players were left wondering whether the apocolypse had come early, as only 2 minutes into their match with Brema they were three nil down and in complete disarray.

The world didn't end on 21st December, and although any significance associated with this date will soon be forgotten, you could argue that these predictions remind us of the importance of making the most of the time we have left and not dwelling on what has happened in the past. This result against Brema should have a similar affect. While it was humiliating and painful to be six nil down at half time, there is nothing that can be done about it now and in fact it should inspire us to make sure our next outing is a more enjoyable one. It could be argued that we were hampered by only having eleven regular players (we were grateful to Parker and Gollum for stepping up to give some cover), and were missing people in key positions (including the manager), but there is no way we should ever lose quite so heavily. It did seem that everything that could go wrong did, and boy did Brema's young and skillful players punish us for every mistake. Still, there were some positives; we got two goals through Ryan (put through by his brother via a deflection off the defender), and Tapsell (heading home a N.A.T.H.A.N.), and we stuck together and took the defeat as a team.


This result saw Brema move top of the table with the Oaks dropping to seventh due to wins for Springhouse and Orsett

I hope everyone had a great Christmas and New Year, and see you in 2013 for a fresh start.

Eye-Ball

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MillyppppppRobppppNathan (c)ppppEye-Ball

RyanppppppTapsellpppppMikeyppppppScott

pppppppppppppBunnyppppDale

subs: Parker, Gollum


Next game: Sunday 6th January @ Home v George & Dragon - 1030 K.O.

Goal Scoring Chart

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:

George & Dragon 3 - 0 Oaks Athletic

"Sometimes you have to learn how to lose before you are ready to win"
Arnold J. Rimmer

All good things must come to an end, and after one year and one month, 29 games, one league title, one league cup and an unmeasurable number of ham sandwiches, the Oaks players finally experienced the feeling of losing a game. It isn't a nice feeling, especially when you've not felt it in so long, but much like the flu vaccine a small dose of a bad thing can only make us stronger. Ideally our run would have ended with a great performance, where we fought valiantly until the end only to lose out in a game that could have gone either way. That wasn't to be, and although George & Dragon showed themselves to be a fine young side who are worthy of their position at the top of the table, our performance was disappointing. We allowed the opposition to play their slick passing football, and were inaffective in possesion.

ppppppppppppppppTyrone

Deano (c)ppppppRobppppNikippppEye-Ball

NathanppppppTapsellpppppMikeyppppppScott

ppppppppppppppppRyanppppDale

subs: Browne, Milly, Bunny, Luke



Still a lot of fixtures behind everyone else

I'm not going to go into much detail about the game. We were beaten by three goals from set pieces; two in the first half and one in the second. Two came from crosses and the other was scored directly. Apart from that, and having the lion's share of possession, G & D never really got behind us. We created very few chances, with the closest we came to scoring being a shot hit into the ground by Tapsell that looked destined to go in but hit a dodgy patch of grass that diverted the ball onto the post. This would have made the score 2-1, and who knows what might have happened then. The referee was awful, and at times we were rash as frustrations got the better of us.

It's important not to dwell on this defeat, and I know individuals (your match reporter included) will be wishing they could turn back the clock and not concede that free kick, or make a better job of marking their man, or have another go at making that pass or shooting at goal. Instead we've got to be as much of a team in defeat as we have in every victory over the last glorious year. Forget this game, and take some time to think back to what we have achieved. Read through some of the old match reports of your favourite games and memorable moments: the 5-1 win against Pegasus that convinced us we would be a force to be reckoned with in Division 2; coming back from 3 nil down against Tilbury in the cup semi final; Tapsell's goals in extra time to win us the cup; H fouling himself two yards from goal. The list goes on and on, and I think it would be great to hear some more when we meet next week. Everyone should feel immensely proud to have played a part in what has been the most succesful period in the Oaks history, and I'm sure we'll have many more reasons to celebrate in the future.

Eye-Ball

Next game: Sunday 25th November - Away v Dynamo Basildon - Meet Orsett Cock - 0930

Goal Scoring chart

Oaks Athletic 6 - 0 Mustang (Ted Fairchild Cup Round 2)

The Oaks cruised into the 3rd round of the Ted Fairchild cup thanks to a commanding display against Division 4 side Mustang. This game had some extra spice given that a number of the Mustang players are known to some of us, and also as they were sponsored by The Ship Inn last season. We did our sponsors proud, and maintained bragging rights for the foreseeable future.

Such is the strength of the Oaks squad, and the confidence that Milesy has in the resources available, that he was able to tell a number of players - including the club captain and player of the season - to leave their boots at home. This was a chance to mix up the team a bit, and reward the players who have had fewer opportunities for their loyalty and support. One unexpected change to the starting eleven was Milly replacing Niki, who pulled up lame during the warm up. Milly and Rob have played countless games together over the years for both the Oaks, and previously Berma, but incredibly this was the first time they had formed a partnership in over a year! Still, the fact they kept a clean sheet and rarely looked troubled proves that they haven't forgotten how to play together.

ppppppppppppppppConnor

pppLukeppppppppRobppppMillyppppBrowne

Nathan (c)ppppppBunnypppppMikeyppppppRyan

ppppppppppppppppHarryppppDale

subs: Niki, Al, Scott, Ty, Eye-Ball
Watchers: Tapsell, Parker, Deano

Mustang started brightly, but it soon became clear that they lacked the quality to capitalise on the pace they had upfront. They were also heavily reliant on the one quality defender they had, and although he got them out of trouble on a number of occasions it wasn't long before the Oaks started finding routes to goal.

The best of the early chances fell to Mikey, Nathan, Ryan and Rob. Firstly Mikey was denied a shooting chance when bursting into the box by a last ditch challenge, then smart saves from the keeper prevented Ryan, on the left, and Nathan, on the right, from opening the scoring. Rob was also denied by two goal line clearances as he twice won the ball in the box in the same attacking move.

The lead was eventually taken when Nathan took a throw in on the right into Dale's feet. Dale showed great skill to bring the ball down before crossing low into the centre, where the other Kenyon was waiting. Ryan calmly slotted the ball into the corner of the goal to take his tally to three for the season: 1-0.

Bunny then had a great chance to double the lead, but maybe had too much time when the ball broke to him 15 yards out with the whole of the goal to aim at. Hindsight is a wonderful thing, and I'm sure if the chance came again he'd side foot it into the corner rather than trying to put the keeper in the net with the ball. In the end the windows in the flats behind the goal were in more danger of being broken than the net.

This miss didn't prove to be costly as the Oaks got a second goal before the break. Much like the steeple chase at the Olympics, the Kenyons were stealing the show. Provider turned finisher, as Dale collected the ball in the box from Nathan's pass and nonchalantly skipped past the covering defenders before slotting the ball into the net: 2-0.

Ty and Al replaced Connor and Mikey for the second half. I wrote a few weeks ago about Niki's feat of travelling back from Scotland on the morning of a game. Due to the postponement of last week's match, the trumping of this achievement nearly went unnoticed, as Tyrone turned up for the match having flown in from Turkey at 0700 that morning. Although I'm sure this isn't supportive evidence, we do know that Ty has a competitive streak, and the fact that clean sheets had been kept in the last 5 halves of football wouldn't have gone unnoticed.

Ty did more than his fair share to extend the clean sheet record to three games, as he pulled off two great saves in the opening minutes of the second half. The first saw him get down well to his left to tip a well hit shot round the post, and then he came off his line quickly to palm the ball over the bar as the striker chipped it goal ward.

The slight anxiousness caused by the dreaded 2 nil score line soon evaporated when H was on hand in the box to volley Ryan's cross goal ward. Both keeper and defender got something on it, but could not prevent it crossing the line: 3-0.

The Oaks were in full swing now, and the rest of the half was a joy to watch. The only disappointment was to see Luke limping off again, especially as he had only just returned from injury. This led to a major reshuffle, with Scott coming on to take up a familiar position on the left hand side of midfield. Ryan moved to the right, Rob to full back, and Nathan to the heart of the defence.

Scott nearly made an instant impact when he won possession on the left before hitting the ball against the underside of the crossbar from all of 25 yards. Later in the half, H also learnt to think twice about requesting the ball from Scott, who duly obliged by leathering it at him from about 10 feet. In Scott's defence I think it might have been another attempt on goal, but this didn't make it any less amusing for the spectators (or painful for H).

Once Harry gets his confidence up, he is almost unplayable and after scoring his first in this one he then scored another and set up one. The assist came first as he flicked on Nathan's clearance with the outside of his boot for Dale to run on to. He held off the defenders who tried to dispossess him before beating the keeper for his second goal of the match: 4-0.

Bunny then got the fifth when the ball bounced back to him in the box, as the keeper could only parry Ryan's fiercely struck shot. This time Bunny made no mistake as he side footed the ball into the corner: 5-0.

H finished the scoring, with Dale once again providing the assist with a cross into the box that fell perfectly for H to strike first time into the roof of the net: 6-0.

Six goals and a clean sheet proved to be more than just reward for yet another good day at the office, as the Oaks march on to the next round of the Ted Fairchild Cup. I hope it also gives all the players the belief that they have what it takes to knock the league leaders off their perch next week.

Eye-Ball

Next Game: Away v George and Dragon (venue to be confirmed):Sunday 18th November.

Goal Scoring Chart