It was an important game for oaks after last weeks poor showing, unfortunately the same every derby day.
Following the win against F.C. Salle in our first outing in the 1st Division it was important to maintain some sort of win to accumulate points early on in the season and build team confidence.
The conditions were blustery with the wind blowing down the pitch, although it was dry, the pitch was heavy in places due to recent downfalls ( British Summer ). We started well and for the first 10 mins of the game knocked the ball around using the full width of the pitch, leaving a very young Collegiate side to chase shadows. Unfortunately this didn't last and Collegiate came more and more into the game, it has to be said more by our own mistakes and poor first touch on the ball. For the next 25 minutes of the half we appeared to lose confidence but the pleasing thing is that we continued to battle and try to play football, however the long ball was played far to regularly and was borne out of panic. Dave Selleck was solid at the back as Collegiate pressed down the left, supporting his right back, Simon 'Terets' Cheyne, to keep the home team at bay.
It was good to see the team working for, and supporting each other, and the chances eventually dripped in. The Collegiate keeper was probably their best player on the day and saved the home team from going in at least 3 goals down. Anthony Smith was unfortunate on at least 2 occassions following outstanding feats of skill on the ball to bamboozle the home defence, unfortunately the post saved Collegiate on both occassions.
The second half began with the wind picking up and blowing into our faces. Football was required here and the players responded. Never in trouble at the back, midfield working hard and the strikers punching their weight up front, oaks took the game to the home team and pressed at every opportunity. Peter Fairfield hit the crossbar with a towering header from a free kick, Mike Weedon worked the keeper with a shot from just inside the 18 yard box and Anthony Smith continued to impress with outstanding ability on the ball, unable to convert this into goals. It has to be said that the Collegiate keeper kept them in the game.
Shortly after the restart the breakthrough. Working the ball down the left, the ball was played into the box. A brief scramble ensued but John Storey managing to get a shot in which ricocheted off a defender and looped over the keeper into the top of the net. Oaks continued to press and create chances, all players seeing plenty of the ball. Gary McDonald and Colin Bell worked hard in Midfield, Peter Fairfield in his first season showed a steadiness and sureness on the ball with Tony Taylor and Paul Fairfield their usual assured selves.
The second goal came shortly after, again from the left. The ball worked nto the box by Anthony Smith, well controlled and directed by Mike Weedon into the bottom left corner of the net. With the game over and confidence building the away team took the game to an anxious home team leading to the third. John Story, playing out of position on the right of midfield, bursting into the home box. As he flew past the left back he was his triling leg was caught and he went down like Steven Gerard. Penalty given and no dispute from the home team. dave Selleck stepped up to the mark and neatly sent the keeper the wrong way, nestling the ball in the bottom left of the keeper.
Collegiate continued to battle and eventually their hard work was rewarded by a shot from outside the box which caught in the wind and looped over Oaks keeper, Graham Worrall, who up to that point had had very little to do. This goal seemed to spur the home team on and they fought back without really threatening to much.
Overall a solid performance against a Collegiate team who are probably short of several players and experience, and who will struggle this eason. Oaks continue to develope and are increasing in confidence with each game. The next 2 weeks are important with hard games against the team of the Division, Alumni. If we play with the grit and determination of the F.C Salle game and the confidence to play football we will give any team a game.
