Home league match played on 01 November 2008.
Kicked off at 2:00 AM
Last week saw Oaks Institute entertain Wavertree WDOB at 'Play football'. The pitch was near perfect as were the weather conditions. Another trip into the unknown for Oaks with our first game against Wavertree and another guessing game as to the quality of opposition in our debut season in the 1st division.
Manager, Alan Parry, having the luxury of naming an unchanged team from the one that started last weeks 0 - 4 victory away to Richmind in the cup. Doing the hard work first Oaks kicked off and began to get a feel for their opponents. In the early stages the ball was lost fairly easily by both teams. Wavertree having the best of the early exchanges, however saying that, without really threatening the home team too much. Oaks battled to play and get themselves back into the game and were probably guilty of trying to hard. Several players were out of sorts, and some nursing the after affects of the night before. Despite this Oaks were still the better team and the most threatening when they managed to get the ball into the feet of the front two, Mike Weedon and Ian Bates.
As usual the strikers worked hard to find themselves space and ran at the opposition defence at every opportunity. Half chances being created by both players, unlucky not to convert early on. Oaks found plenty of time and space on the ball and continued to try and play football. At times over playing in parts of the pitch and failing to build a momentum.
On 26 minutes Oaks broke the deadlock. A break by Oaks found Ian Bates fed down the left flank by Peter Fairfield, beating off the challenge from the Wavertree full back he slid the ball across the six yard box into the incoming Mike Weedon who placed it neatly past the stranded keepr. 1 - 0.
Oaks continued to take the game to Wavertree, and to be fair, we were well in control of a game although not short in committment, at times on the day, short on quality. On 35 minutes an opportuniy for Oaks to increase their lead. Ian Bates hauled down in the box by a desperate challenge from the opposition centre half, a penalty appeal and given by the referee, who had his usual steady game. Up stepped penalty taker Dave SELLICK to send the keeper the wrong way. The ball was sent a bit straight and rebounded off the keepers trailing leg. I won't say saved by the keeper as he didn't know much about it, and to be fair the penalty was just a reflection on the game overall.
Half time : 1 - 0
The second half began with the home team maintaining their defensive grip on the game, however going forward Oaks attack was breaking down. As such frustration crept in which only served to speed up the play and cause the attacks to break down early. Gary McDonald was unlucky with a shot from outside the box, saved by the keeper. Peter Fairfield took a free kick from outside the box save low down by the keeper, Mike Weedon coming close at the far post from a corner. At the other end Paul Price brushing aside a hangover to put his head into the midst of flying boots to clear the lines on several occassions.
Midway through the second half an opportunity fro Wavertree caused by an offside missed by the refree. A good line held saw a ball played from the right land at the feet of the aging Wavertree striker, under pressure from a recovering defence he managed to loop the ball over the onrushing keeper, Graham Worrall only to see the ball rebound off the cross bar and hooked away by full back Dave Sellick.
The second half dwindled away and, apart from the previous shot, Wavertree were unable to test the home keeper. Oaks broke mainly down the right with Ian Bates beating the away full back almost at will, sending balls into the box for Mike Weedon, but never quite finding their mark.Oaks appeared to settle for the 1 - 0 win, and the game petered out.
A clean sheet for the keeper and back four and a goal at the other end to seal the victory. Realistically it was a game that could, and should, have been wrapped up in the first half and was not reflective of the game overall. On the face of it another good win against opposition that we should be beating to ensure a decent position in the league next April. Again it gives an idea of the quality of opposition and I think we all know that tougher opponents came up from the 2nd Division with us. At times Oaks could have put a foot on the ball a bit more, slowed the game down and looked to switch the play. Oaks have a big home pitch which is ideal for the passing game and is something we should look to take advantage of a little more, if for no other reason that to work the opposition and change the angle of play and attack.
Next weeks early kick off in the cup, at home against 3rd Div strugglers Gateacre. On the face of it a team we should overcome however it's worth noting Gateacres last run out was a 5 - 0 away victory !
Managers Man of the Match - Paul Price.
