Make no excuses this was a tough game against decent opposition, being 4-2 up with 10 minutes to go Oak looked well set for a vital 3 points having played the opposition of the park for long periods, however a late collapse saw us lucky to take the 4-4 draw.
Going into the game Oak were dealt a blow with injuries to key players Butler and Shadbolt meaning they missed the game, a threadbare Oak started the game in a 4-3-1-2 formation with Wilkinson being played out of position at right back allowing manager gunnell to accomodate all three strikers who scored in the previous leage game. In the early stages Oak had majority of the early play forcing a couple of early corners, from second one Coker delevered a decent cross for Hall to flick into the roof of the net only for it to be disallowed as the corner had drifted out of play. Unfortunately this was Hall's last action of the match, as after 10 minutes he was withdrawn with a groin injury, Roberts taking his place, sloting in at right back, with the formation chaning to 4-4-2, allow wilkinson to play in his preffered right midfield role. Hithercroft were forced to rely on the odd breakaway which was dealt with well by the ever consistent Gunnell. The breatkthrough arrived on 25 minutes, a cross from the right hand side was headed into the roof of the net by coker 1-0. Within 5 minutes Hithercroft were level, following a mis hit clearance from summers which fell at the feet of the Hithercroft midfielder 40 yards from goal who to on the shot first time which flew over summers head into the net 1-1. Oak refused to let the set back get to them and continued to play some of the best football of the season and where deservedly in front on 40 minutes, Coker having a goal bound shot handle, resulting in the ref awarding a penalty which was expertly converted by Piercey for his 10th league goal of the seaon 2-1. The lead was further extended, Ebberson exchanging passes on the edge of the area, raced in on goal and had his shot palmed away by the keeper only for the alert Wilkinson to steer in from an accute angle 3-1. With old oak apperaing to head into half time with a deserved 2 goal lead, Hithercroft hit back following some slack defending, midfielders not tracking there men and then a cross swung into the middle and a free header for the left winger, a particully bad time to concede, with the last kick off the first half 3-2.
The message at half time was clear, continue playing the way we had done in the first half, we looked capable of scoring at virtually every attack whilst other than the two individual errors we looked solid at the back. The second half begun with the similar pattern to the first half, Oak enjoying the lions share of possesion, and where duly rewarded on 52 minutes, when a Piercey corner was headed in at the back post by Coker 4-2. The next 20 minutes was a midfeild battle, both sides having half chances to score, Wilkinson hitting a first time volley into the side netting, whilst the Hithercroft keeper twice denied piercey from range, who also shot over from 20 yards out. Throughout this period Hithercroft had a couple of decent chances, going close at a corner following some slack marking. With 15 minutes to go skipper Hawken back from injury replacing Roberts. With 10 minutes to go Hithercroft hit back, a ball played down the left wing saw the striker get clear, despite an despairing tackle by Gunnell the ball roll accross the penalty area to an on rushing midfielder who steered the ball past Summers 4-3. Manager Gunnell and assistant Mcneill trying to settle the nerves and advising the midfield not to over commit feel on deaf ears, as on several occasions breakaway attacks saw 5 on 3 in hithercrofts favour only good defending by Hawken, Gunnell and horse cleared the danger. However the gun-ho approach taken finally cost Oak as a breakaway down the right hand side saw a mis hit cross rebound of the cross bar and fall at the feet of the hithercroft winger who hammered home(may have been a handball by the opposition player as he controlled the ball) 4-4. Both sides had further chances in injury time, oak with a free kick which came to nothing and Hithercrof with 2 corners which were well dealt with.
This was a really disappointing end to what had been a good perfomance up until the last 10 minutes. From a personal point of view I would say it was disappointing to see several players, ignoring the instructions to settle for what we had, and instead continue to bomb forward and left the defence exposed to the counter attacks which ultimatlely lead too both goals. I heard a number of people criticse the defence, i dont feel they were at fault, personally the blame for the goals lies at the feet of the midfield and attacking players, on both occasions there was not enough desire to work back when the attacks had broken down. Football can be a harsh game, i hope as a team we have learnt a lesson today and our management of the game when we are defending a lead is better going forward.
On a positive note, i felt we played some decent football at times, i was impressed by the perfomances of Coker, Javi & burton, wilko's first half display, particully at right back, and as always consistent performances from the usaul suspects. This week man of the match is Ryan coker for his 2 goals and all round perfomance.
