A flattering scoreline for the away team who will have woken up this morning feeling yesterdays the after affects of yesterdays game. A tough encounter for both teams played with outstanding committment and desire to win by both sets of players.
After last week Alumni turned up to Saturdays fixture knowing they were in for a game, however I think the attitude and effort from the Oaks players surprised a very strong Alumni team. Oaks making a couple of changes to last weeks starting line up with the retun of Paul Price to the centre of defence with Neil Storey also making his first outing for the season, playing just behind lone striker Ian bates with centre back Paul Fairfield being drafted in as an emergency keeper at last minute.
The home pitch was immaculate however just on kick off the wind and rain took hold to make the surface fast and greasy, any wayward passes and loose leaving the ball skidding away. It was good to see that the Oaks players learnt valuable lessons in life in the 1st Division from last weeks game at Jericho Lane, and set about Alumni from the off. First opportunity going to Ian Bates on 2 mins, a turn and shot in the box just going wide of the mark.
Disaster on 6 mins. A long hopeful ball into the Oaks box, indecision by the keeper and a mix up with the defence left the Alumni striker the opportunity to nip in and head the ball into a gaping net. Disappointing in the circumstances but outlining the need for a good and permanet goalkeeper.
As is usual for Oaks these days, the team responded superby. Straight back at Alumni, Tony Taylor setting the tone for the game with two crunching tackles on the Alumni right winger, committment raining in from all over the park. I think this surprised the opposition who realised that they had a fight on their hands and Oaks were not going to roll over. An effort on 8 mins by Carl Styles just going over the crossbar, the home team pressing and harrying Alumni, not letting them get a hold on the ball and relax. A good end to end game, good football by both teams and commitment and aggression in abundance.
More bad luck on 20 mins with Alumni increasing their lead. A needless free kick given away outside the box to the right of the oaks box saw the ball whipped in, through a crowd of players, finishing in the bottom of the net. Another poor goal to concede and more lessons to learn. Yet again the character of the home team was tested and yet again they responded. Gary McDonald and Carl Styles working tirelessly in the centre of midfield, Mike Weedon and Peter Fairfield working the flanks with the macurial Ian Bates ably supported by the skillfull Neil Storey. The back four settling down and beginning to deal with the away teams, now reduced forages into the Oaks half, the speedy Alumni striker being somewhat nullified by the steady John Storey. Dave Selleck continuing to develop into a good centre back with Paul Price aquitting himself well in his first outing of the season, strong on the floor as in the air. Oaks pressed, on 25 minutes a turn by Ian Bates leaving his marker trailing, unluck not to get more. On 27 mins a shot over the bar from gary McDonald, trying to emulate last weeks effort.
Half time : 0 - 2.
Even 2 goals down oaks stiil believed they could get something from the game. The second half began and the battle continued. Alumni penned back into their own half by a ferocious oaks attack, working the away defence galiantly. Then on 15 minutes the break through we were looking for. A sloppy piece of defending by the away defender attempting a pass back to his keeper. Ever alert and sharp Ian Bates pounced on the opportunity and thumped the ball into the back of the net. 1 - 1. The Alumni heads, for the first time, visibly went down. It wasn't all one way traffic but for the next 15 mins Oaks pressed for the equaliser. Gary McDonald and Carl Styles driving the team on, McDonald eventually getting booked for unwanted verbal advice to the referee. He was soon followed into the book by Dave Selleck after the away striker fooled the referee with theatrics on the tochline, going down quicker than team manager, Alan Parry dropping a quid.
On 70 mins the sucker punch. A poor defencsive clearance from an an innocuous postion left Oaks exposed at the back leaving Alumni to take full advantage. Playing the ball early into the box the ball was dispatched under the diving Paul Fairfield, 1-3. The relief of the away team was for all to see, each on of them reacting as if they had just won the cup.
Gary McDonald hit a firce drive from outside the box, well tipped over by the well equipped Alumni keeper, Peter Fairfield going close with a long range effort, an excellent corner narrowley diverted. Then on 80 mins the end game. Caught on the break, the away team piled forward, excellent approach work by the Alumni winger setting the ball up for a strike inside the Oaks penalty box. 1- 4.
That's how the game ended but the scoreline flattered the away team. Although disappointing it shows that we are on the right track and the team is heading in the right direction. The two games against a very good Alumni team, who will be there or thereabouts at the end of the season, have provided good learning points from which the lads have responded. The step up only serves to outline the importance, at this level, of strong defending and putting away your chances.
The whole team worked tirelessly and for the full 90 minutes. The bare minimum of players again turning out, the lack of subs available easy for the manager but hard for the team. The players that turn out week in and week out committed, but would benefit from an increase in squad numbers.
It was hard to choose a man of the match this week, however Gary McDonald came out on top. His desire and his will to win drove us on despite setbacks. Always involved and with good use of the ball ( and the lack of cramp ! ) just gave him the edge.
