Oak put in a performance that will live long in the memory, winning 3-1 away at Afc Marlow, a side who had dismantled us 6-2 in our previous encounter just short of 2 months ago. The result was even more remarkable when you consider the list of unavailable players which inclucded Skipper Hawken, Carpenter, Coker, paddy, Alfie & Adam bulter, add to that the late withdrawls from the squad of Preston & Ing. Marlow were also aided by the addition of a couple of new signings to what already is a fantastic squad of players.
Going into the game on an erratic run of results and generally disappointing perfomances streching back to the beginning of december, Manager Gunnell had spoke to the squad on friday evening requesting a 110% commitment during the final weeks of the season starting with this tricky away fixture. The response was magnificent from the 15 players that turned up.
Having seen his side overun in the previous fixture between the two sides, Gunnell and assistant Mcneill made the decision to switch to a 4-5-1 in a bid to tighten up infront of the back four who at times in recent weeks had been left badly exposed. This resulted in dave roberts returning to the starting eleven for the first time since december to partner JP and pete in a midfield 3. The back four saw several changes with Shadbolt moving back to Left back, Mark Janes returning from a three month abscence at right back and Gunnell & Horse at centre back. Rodriguez and wilkinson where deployed as wingers with James Hall making only his 3rd start upfront off an injury disrupted start to his time at Old Oak.
The opening stages of the game were a cagey affair, both sides giving very little away, Oak following clear instructions to be very disciplined and maintain there shape during the early exchanges, both sides having possesion only to see things break down with overhit passes or the wrong option being choosen. That was all to change on 7 minutes, Mark Janes winning a 50/50 on touchline rolled the ball into Wilkinson on the right wing, having beaten his man and cut inside, he expertly picked out a delightful through ball with the outside of his boot which took out 3 Marlow defneders in on go, with Rodgiguez latching on to the ball 12 yards out, he hit a first time side foot finish beyond the dive of the keeepr 1-0. The goal gave Oak a real boost in confidence, as always with us an early goal seems to dictate the rest of the game, marlow began seeing a lot of the ball, resolute defending from the whole of the back four and midfield saw Marlow fruastrated with every attack breaking down or final passes going astray. On 25 Minutes James Hall who's excellent link up play with wilkinson and piercey was a feature of the game, beat his man an unleashed a shot from 25 yards which went narrowly over the crossbar. A series of free kicks were then awareded for both sides but the strong wind seemed to have a great affect as either crosses bairly reached the penalty area or in fact sailed halmlessly out of play. 10 Minutes before half time Marlow caused panick in the Oak defence, having had several attempts a clearing the ball, it fell at the feet of the marlow midfield whos shot was block before everntually be hacked to safety. Oak responded, Piercey who was having gone close once before found himself in space and rattled the crossbar from 30 yards out. The whistle blew for half time with Oak taking a slender lead into the break. Gunnell and mcneill were delighted with the first half showing, with the message, much of the same will do us in the second half.
The second half began with a visable lift in tempo from Marlow, several strong committed challenges followed from both sides, with Marlow changing from a 4-5-1 to a 4-4-2 formation, again there were was very little in the way of chances, until a 50 yard clearance from janes fell between the marlow centre backs, Hall seized on the oppurnity a muscled his way through on goal, holding of a despairing challenge Hall poked the ball passed the Marlow goalie who came racing out to close the angle, a very calm finish a much to the delight of manager gunnell and the rest of the team who ran to both goalscorer and janes to celebrate, a deserved reward for both who have had a bad time with injuries 2-0. Credit to Marlow, this would have killed of a lot of sided in the division, they continued to see a lot of the ball, but continued to struggle to break down a resolute Oak defence who continued to soak up a lot of pressue, there pressure eventually told when the divisions top scorer Turner riggled free on down the right wing and cut the ball back accross the goal for his strike parnter to bundle accross the line from close range 2-1. In previous weeks Oak would have folded but the fighting spirit shown all day was in evidence as the next 20 minutes saw marlow have the lions share of possesion but couldnt force Summers into action. The midfield 3 where outstanding at shielding the back four, whilst wilkinson and rodriguez were providing exellent support to their full backs whilst also providing and attacking outlet. The goal that killed the game off arrived on 83 minutes, wilkinson who worked hard all game won the ball on the right hand side of the area and cut the ball back to Hall who finished expertly from close range for his second goal of the game and reward from a whole hearted performance from the striker 3-1. During the final 8 minutes Marlow continued the pattern of having large amounts of possesion but could only force a corner which was well dealt with by Summers, rodriguez had one final chance beating two men, before shooting from 25 yards which was well dealt with by the keeper. The only other action of note saw two late subs, gunnell taking the oppurtunity to give a run out to carter who replaced wilkinson, and barlow who came on with a couple of minutes to go to replace ebberson who was carried off after a heavy tackle.
This was the performance of the season, in difficult conditions against a very strong side & missing several players who have been regulars in the side. Today showed that you can have all the talent in the world, but heart, commitment and shear determination to overcome your oppenents counts for as much if not more. All eleven lads that started today were hero's, fought for every ball, never stopped running, encouraged each other and followed the management teams instructions to a tee. The attitude of the subs was unbelievable, not one complaint about a lack of playing time, they constantly encourage their team mates from the sidelines and should be commend for this. This should be the bench mark now, we showed that there is a great team spirit in the squad, lets not let performance slip as we have now forced the issue and have a genuine albeit outside chance of a top 2 finish.
Dave roberts was a awarded man of the match today for a great shift in midfield, in truth anyone of the starting 11 could of been given it, quite rightly i will not be dropping any of the 15 who turned up today for the next match, you can all be proud of your perfomances and attitudes. We have a week off but then have H-Town and prestwood in following weeks, no excused we have to follow this result up with 6 points in the next two games.
