Yesterday was the very first time that either the King's Sutton Royals or the Adderbury Vipers had failed to get the full quota of players on match day. A catologue of misfortunes involving injuries and other commitments left us down to just ten mostly fit men. Thankfully Jake returned from his illness layoff and put in a determined shift alongside Ned , Ollie and Joe in defence. Ned and Joe raced back from 2 hours intensive karate in Birmingham to still play a valiant and brave roll for the team. In midfield Owen , Thomas and Harlie worked their socks off in their vein attempts to make up for our shortfall in players. Upfront Tyler led our attacks and Chris did his level best to offer some dogged support throughout the game. Our Goalkeeper Isaac managed to produce a couple of fine saves during the tie but when are we going to meet a side that don't keep finding the corners and roof of our net., come on give Isaac a break , he needs it.
We started brightly matching our opponents in the early stages but what we feared the most duly happened. Bloxham found they had time and space to pick out their front men and although both Ned and Jake managed to push them out wide the forward and our former player Lewis Ridley somehow managed to unleash an unstoppable shot into the top corner. We did have an instant chance to reply when Harlies great cross was just a few inches away from the toe of Tyler right in front of goal. Our brittle confidence showed in a ten minute spell where we began to get overrun and we conceded three quick fire goals. A good spell of football saw us beginning to play for our pride and at last we were matching Bloxham stride for stride. A thirty yard free kick sailed in to make it five, but Tyler used his anger to great effect. Using his strength on the taller opponent Ty raced onto Ollies through ball and scored at the second bite after the keeper had saved his initial effort. Twice more Tyler was denied before the break by some outstanding goalkeeping, much to his and our frustration. After such great work we suffered one more set back before the break when Isaacs challenge ran kindly for the centre forward to score.
Heads may have been down at half time but the second half was to show us the true spirit of this side. Straight from the kick off we threw caution to the wind and gave it a real go. A pulsating run from Joe Berry from his right back berth to thirty yards from goal was brought to an end by a lunging foul. Young master Whitrow confidently despatched a venomous drive into the top corner and lifted everyones spirits. Another goal for the home side was not going to stop our lads competing and the midfeild now joined by Ollie began to force huge ammounts of pressure on the home defence. A surging run by Ollie was stopped in the same manner as had Joes' shortly before and Ollie was going to mke them pay yet again. This time a low bouncing bomb that cannoned in off the post .The home support was beginning to get a little twitchy at this stage and were almost heading toward panic stations when Tyler headed in our fourth. Ollies ' floated free kick toward Chris caused mayhem, Thomas nipped in and hooked the ball across goal where Tyler rose like a salmon above the Bloxham defenders to net his second headed goal of the season. All this effort finally took its toll on us and Bloxham were able to use their extra man in the dying minutes to steal in and pinch one last goal.
Thank you everyone involved in this match both on and off the field. The effort in the indian summer heat was phenomenal and your support and encouragement ,fantastic .
