Oakland Rangers from the Tyro A league were the visitors to Front Lawn for the 3rd Round tie, a team we have played before but only in 6 aside tournaments, there a big side tough and physical so we new we were going to be in for a tough game.
We started with a min silence for rememberance day with the lads wearing poppy stickers on there shirts as a mark of respect thanks to Stacey for getting them.
We started the game very brightly with the midfeild dominating the early possesion, putting Oaklands on the back foot, they didnt know what had hit them, the pressure awarded us two conssesive corners which we failed to get anything on the end of with there defence clearing there lines, but the pressure from the lads was constant and every time it was cleared we loaded it back into the box, then with 5mins gone Alfie fed Kieron down the left whos cross was not cleared by the defence and there was the little goal machine Zack to slot home to put us 1-0 ahead.
That goal helped us settle into the game and with that we grew in confidence and made Oaklands rock, taken full control of the game the midfeild kept on the pressure with both Max and Kieron given there full backs the run around, Cameron and Smithy mopping up any 50/50 always looking to keep the pressure alive and Alfie using his vission to create chances all over the park.
Then within 2mins we all but put the game to bed with two quick fire goals, first on 18mins Alfie swung in a point perfect cross to the near post with Jack timing his run to perfection to head home a powerful header into the roof of the net to make it 2-0 then on 20mins again threw another assist from Alfie who guided a pin perfect ball over the defence into the path of Kieron who took one touch to settle himself and then smashed a left foot volley over the helpless keeper into the top corner to make it 3-0.
Alfie continued to create chances linking up well again with Kieron down the left just for Kierons shot to be tipped onto the post by the keeper, we did have chances to get a fourth with Max and Cameron linking up well down the right creating a couple of good chances foe Zack who was unable to capatalise, but going in 3-0 ahead at half time was no more than what we desreved.
We didnt make any changes at half time leaving it as it was as Billy had nothing to do in the first half but that was due to the four lads infront of him in Jack, Bobby Kerri, Olly and Ryan being solid breaking up anything that got past the midfield.
We started strong again in the second half but could tel it was not game over just yet as Oaklands came out with more of an attitude and beleif in themselves using the wind to put us under more pressure bringing our defence and Billy more and more into the game, however it was use looking the more likely to get the killer goal first Ryan making a great tackle in defence settling Max off down the right, linking up well with Cameron who crossed for Smithy who shot from just outside the box just to see his effort crack against the cross bar, then Alfie was feed the ball by Olly breaking from the back turning the defender Alfie done what he had done all game slipping in Kieron who cut inside the box but blazed his shot inches over, then Alfie took from range shooting from 25yards but put his effort over the keeper and over the bar.
On 40mins Sam and Josh replaced Ryan and Olly who had both had brilliant games at the back and then in the 42min we got the goal we had been looking for again Zack was there lerking in the box sniffing out any mistake and with the defence failing to clear he lifted it over the rushing keeper into an empty net on make it 4-0.
Then on 45mins Oaklands found themselves with a mini life line with Smithy giving away a cheap free kick 30 yeards from goal there player smashed it high over Billys head to make it 4-1 the wind played a massive part and left Billy helpless but it didnt rock us we got straight back into the game and within mins of conceding we got our fifth to surley kill it off, in the 47min Kieron played in Zack who crossed to the back post finding Cameron who gambled on the cross to tap home to make it 5-1.
In the 48min just after going 5-1 ahead we replaced Zack and Max with Jake and Joel pushing Jack up into midfield and Smithy into center defence, it did lose us our shape letting in Oaklands round the back of our defence but every time the defence was breached Billy was there ready and in the 54min Jack took a throw in falling to Kierons feet and with his less favoured right foot pushed the ball past the keeper to make it 6-1 but then straight from the kick off we found ourselves giving away another free kick just outside the box and from that the same result as the first with Billy again having no chance making it 6-2 but with Jack pushing himself further up the field he managed to get onto a loss ball at the back post to slot home in off the post on 58mins to make it game set and match winning the game an impressive 7-2.
Man of the Match was a very tough choice to make and for the first time ever gave a joint award mainly down to my lack of comunication, or just pure deafness,lol it goes to Alfie ans Smithy, with Alfies creativity and work rate being was top class today every chance more or less came from the feet of Alfie ans with Smithys bulldog performance in midfield mopping up anything that came his way always looking to push his team forward a joint award is all but fair two very different styled players but two very talented lads, but then everyones performance today was man of the match worthy so take nothing away from any of the lads but the creativity from Alfie and never say die attitude from Smithy made the game as comptable as it was.
So 4th round lads one step closer to the final and one step further than last year and another home tie against Manor Parkl Colts (Black) from the north hants league.
