When you have played for Potten for as long as the likes of Greg, Nolan, Macca, Gilly and I have, you get to reflect on games that you have won and those that you have lost (mainly the latter!!!). The game this weekend was a game that in days gone by we would have won with grit and brutality (the bad ol' good ol' days). There are also more recent times, when we would have definately lost this game. Oxhey are no mugs, and they have a number of very good players. What pleases me most of all was the level of commitment all round the pitch.
First half:
We have been guilty of sluggish starts this year. Saturday was not such a day. We veritably exploded on to the pitch. Our passing was in gear from the get go and Christian was magestic, intercepting and spraying passes left and right. One such splitter sent Rahul on a channeled run into the box. The ball was not his to win, but great pace and desire got him there ahead of a surprised keeper. A word or two for Rahul here, as this type of effort has started to appear in recent weeks. This was brave and to his cost, we believe that he has chipped a bone leaving him in some discomfort. His efforts were however rewarded to the team in the form of a Penalty. The Keeper should have walked but hey ho. The resultant spotkick put away more with power than panache. The second was as good a team move as you could want to see. The defense snaffling a loose ball - up through midfield - out to the wing - a devilish cross and I had the ball to pull down and strike all be it left footed. A great call from Christian however and the best option was leave and watch in admiration as the put away sailed in of the foot of the post, across the goal and in for 2-0. What followed from Simmo can only be called Miss-tastic. A similar move to the last, and again another Gav layoff left Simmo the simplest put away....Simmo however went for the conversion and slashed it over the bar - high and not so hansome. Still 2-0. Job done?
Second Half:
Job done - er NO!! Oxhey came back hard at the restart. A lot of early pressure, and their goal eventually came after a mix up at the back. Nolan scored with a great reach of a header, a situation that could have been avaioded had Tom called for the easiest of balls. Very few goals this year have been down to our big stopper. His season has been superb, and we are where we are because of his great agility and presence. This one however we'll chalk up to the big man (keep that suit on hold for now Tommy boy!). 2-1. The game now entered a phase of what we have we hold. Whilst we conceeded a lot of possesion, the Defense held firm. Greg and Nolan stout in the middle. Gilly and Keiran intercepting wide. Oxhey had a couple of half chances, but nothing overly concerning. At the other end the machine was having one of those days, unfortunately not a good scoring one! Another Gav layoff should have settled the tie as Dale called for the ball that sat up and begged to be burried. It wasn't! What seemed like a long and tiring second period drew to a close and the points were carried by the visitors. 2-1 Potten.
A lot of positives form a hard fought game. Rahul keep that commitment and hurry back. Benny boy, see you in the new year!
Keep it Rotten.
