WE NEVER GAVE UP

Subs

• Hill for Barber

• Hay for Halloran

• Ryan for Bissell

A boggy day at Damson lane saw our 3rd meeting of the season with a strong Oakland ’s team.  With the season reaching its final 3rd, Oakland’s would be the highest placed opponents that we had left to play and this was sure to be our toughest assignment of the run in.  Doubly important was that we were 11 games unbeaten and anything but defeat would send us into Christmas fantastically placed in all 3 competitions.

Selection was as expected with the in form Ryan forcing his way into the team and Peter dropping to the bench as he is still recovering from illness.

The game started in the exact same way as the other two against the same opposition.  We won the majority of early possession but three times in the first five minutes we were harshly flagged offside by the same guy who has done this persistently all season.

The referee was quickly on to the fact that this was not being done correctly and he did well to make a few overrule decisions from this point on.

Oakland ’s were as physically strong a team as we have played this season and our lads stood up well to the big tackles and many headed challenges.  Our midfield could not really get a foothold in the game as the ball seemed to be sailing over their heads but even when we did get it on the floor our passing let us down.

The key to beating Oakland ’s is to use the flanks as they only play three defenders.  We were too slow to use this tactic and when we did Dayle was not having one of his best days at the office.

Our best chances of the half fell to Ryan who blazed over from the edge of the box and Dylan was through and should have scored only for the keeper to take the ball off his feet.

We did fall behind to a great goal when a long ball was neatly volleyed over Steve,

Half time 0-1.

This in itself would be a challenge as we have only trailed at half time once all season.  We have only conceded the 1st goal twice.  Our lads responded very well and went on to dominate the 2nd half.

Matty Barber was forced off injured and this would be a stern test for the back four.  They all did brilliantly well and Graham stood out for me with a tough tackling and dominant performance.

We created several opportunities in the 2nd half but again our passing was letting us down.  Sonny burst threw twice but shot weakly.  Halloran and Dyl did the same but the pacey defender was always getting blocks in at the right time.  As the minutes ticked by it looked as though our great run would come to an end.   AND THEN……

A long ball from Oakland ’s saw the forward racing through.  Robbo chased him down and put in a great tackle.  Henry fed the ball through to Mark who had already made a big impact on the game in midfield.  Mark burst away from the defence and shot.  The keeper got something on it but the ball rolled in and we got the point that we richly deserved.

Well done to all of the lads for battling on in difficult circumstances, against a strong team, tough conditions and a lineman who has probably cost us 4 points this season.

Enjoy your Christmas break and when we come back we have many of the big games that your hard work has deserved, two Quarter Finals and crucial promotion games in the league.

Let’s make sure that we carry on where we have left off.

Steve