Our plan to go 3-4-3 was almost derailed by a lack of subs. and a wider than usual pitch but we elected to try to win the game from the off and stuck to the plan. We were slow to start and were lucky when they ballooned over an open goal within 5 mins. Within 15 mins we were arguing amongst ourselves and a loss of concentration by Joel saw him allow Oaklands a free header from a corner to go 1-0 up.
Oaklands were quicker and stronger than us in all areas. Dan and Chippy were almost over run calling for last ditch defending by Chris, Ryan and Gary. With Olli and Jack pegged back trying to cover our exposed full backs we struggled to get a foothold. Sam was out of sorts with everyman and his dog and we were in danger of going out.
The change came when Joel finally got into the rhythm of the game giving us a balanced platform across the back from which to build. On the half hour mark Sam's persistance earned a corner. Olli's quality delivery was met by Chippy who flattened half of Oaklands in his determination to reach the ball. 5 mins before half time Kyle pressured Oaklands in possession, took the ball through three challenges and turned it back for Olli to slot home from close range. Well done Kyle attacking the area we spoke about and well done Olli for running beyond the ball.
With our noses in front we switched it at half time dropping Chippy in front of the three and pulling Kim back next to Dan. This extra body in midfield allowed us to dominate possession but we sacrificed a body in the box and although we had double figure efforts from Sam, Jack, Kim, Olli and others these were all from around the edge of the 18 yard box and were well dealt with by their stand in 'keeper.
They resorted to long balls, the first two threats Gary met well (with scary sliced clearances) - the third, 30 mins into the second half, he also dealt with well through a long range punch but we were 2nd best to the 2nd ball and Oaklands slotted home to equalise. We then had a period of extraordinary pressure with Olli taking 11 corners (6 on the trot) all immaculately delivered. Dead balls were our best chance of getting bodies in the box and when with 15 mins to go Kim rose to meet Olli's delicious corner the goal from his thundering header was just reward for his big MOM performance.
One last effort from Oaklands was snuffed out as Gary rushed out and spread himself to smother the ball. Quarter Final here we come.
A good side imposes its game and frustrates the opposition - that is what Oaklands did to us today at times. Another sign of a good side is one which adjusts the balance and focus of its own game to compensate for the opposition's strengths. This is what we did today with a great contribution from Kyle and big performances from Chris, Dan and Chippy amongst others.
Next weeks quarter final involves a roped off pitch, three neutral County officials and a County observer. The referee will be under pressure to abide strictly by the rules so we cannot afford a repeat of any of today's indiscipline. We have some fantastic individual attributes from Dan's inexaustible engine to Gary's unique penalty stopping but more than this we have a fantastic team ethic - if someones having a 'mare or somones struggling the rest cover and support - if we do this we're unstoppable. Let's have it.
