Unbelievably this was only Oaks second outing since the Christmas break, a combination of bad weather, particular ground staff and fixture backlogs leaving Oaks this only opportunity to get the cobwebs out their legs.
Away against Alder at the Bill Shankly playing fields, saw Oaks taking on an average Alder side. The wind was blowing quite strongly at times down the pitch with Oaks having the advantage in the first half. Although it was dry, the pitch was firm, bobbly and uneven. It’s pitches like this that make you thankful for the move to Play Football.
A couple of changes saw Colin Bell filling in at right back, with the remainder of the team much the same. The manager on this occasion having the luxury of three subs to choose from, Chris Lloyd, Terry Taylor and the welcome return of Anthony Smith making yet another comeback. It was obvious from the outset that this game was never going to be a classic and the point was well made. The pitch making problems for both teams, not helped by a 6 week break.
On 5 minutes Robbie Cheyne shot over the bar from a tight angle a yard or two from the right touchline. The next piece of action from either team arriving 13 minutes later when Mike Weedon carved his way through the Alder defence down the left, cut inside a let off a shot which flew high over the bar, the pitch as much to blame as the player. On 23 minutes a great pass from the left, splitting the Alder defence, finding Ian Bates on the right of the penalty box. Batesy allowing the ball to come across his body, again the pitch spoiling the moment, causing the ball to bounce up at the critical moment, the ball going high and wide. On 28 mins Peter Fairfield delivered a sweeping pass left to right to find Ian Bates beating the offside trap, again the shot was wide. On 30 minutes a good team move down the right saw Carl Styles deliver a good pass to John Storey ( Dillon ) on the edge of the box, a snap shot charged down by the defender.
By now Oaks were getting behind Alder time after time and, although not pretty, Oaks the stronger more purposeful team going forward. It was 37 minutes before Alder threatened with a shot just over the bar from the edge of the box after a good team move don their right.
On 43 minutes Oaks got a weak claim for a penalty with Robbie Cheyne driving into the box and being felled by the big centre half. Not given on this occasion but weaker shouts being given by the referee later in the game. Despite this Oaks went ahead a minute later following a free kick on the edge of the box. Robbie Cheyne driving the kick into the wall, the ball rebounding and Cheyne following up with the sweetest of strikes past the helpless keeper.
Half time : Alder 0 - Oaks 1
Alder came out of the blocks quickly and on 4 minutes got a free kick on the edge of the box. Harmlessly over the bar off Paul Price head ( Phil ). That was it then for the net 15 minutes or so with much of the play in the midfield area. As the game progressed Oaks players began gaining in confidence in the difficult conditions and were trying to pass the ball where they could. A back pass 12 yards from goal saw Oaks earn an indirect free kick, the ball hitting the wall and the follow up being blasted over the bar by John Storey ( Dillon ).
The 60th minute saw the return of Anthony Smith coming on for Robbie Cheyne. Playing in the hole just behind Ian Bates, Smith made an immediate impact, great ability and confidence on the ball feeding its way to the rest of the Oaks players and creating a 10 minute spell of excellent passing and moving. Straight away a superb defence splitting pass from the left found Mike Weedon with only the keeper to beat on the edge of the Alder 6 yard box. Unfortunately indecision won the day and the keeper saved well when on another day it would have been buried.
On 75 mins John Storey ( Dillon ) got round the back of the left back and past the ball to a waiting Ian Bates who calmly finished into the corner. 0 – 2 Oaks.
On 80 minutes Alder made a rare forage into the Oaks penalty box. Forced out wide and with nowhere to go the Alder striker was felled by an outrushing keeper, Graham Worrall. A needless penalty to give away and something to learn from. Making amends superbly, Worrall making a fine save from the spot kick, diving low to his left leaving Oaks with their 2 goal advantage.
With the game wrapped up Alan Parry provided some fresh legs with Chris Lloyd coming on for Bates and Tony Taylor for Weedon
3 minutes later Alder given a second penalty by referee Sammy Sinclair after a cross struck Dave Sellick from inches. A very harsh decision and another opportunity for Alder to clutch at straws. This time Worrall stood no chance and the ball was dispatched to make it Alder 1 – Oaks 2.
Not to be outdone Oaks responded with a 3rd. John Storey ( Dillon ) putting Chris Lloyd through on goal. Brushing off the desperate challenge from the defender, Llloyd showing the true class that once made him a regular on the front cover of ‘Shoot’ magazine, dispatching the ball past a helpless keeper into the opposite corner of the Alder net.
Final Score : Alder 1 – Oaks 3
Not a game for the purist however a game to be won. Oaks battled well and thoroughly deserved a solid win. Each player made a good contribution and the storey of the match summed up in this match report. Oaks by far the most potent of teams, and to be fair the more likely looking to score, time after time. A good three points.
