3rd XI v’s Oakhill Tigers
Date: Saturday 17th April 2010
Competition: League
Result: WON 5-4
Scorers: Jake Watson x 3, Dave Cadney, Chris Moore
MOM: Jake Watson
Bringing back the crowds!!
..and so to our final game of the season. A season that has been good overall and a rollercoaster ride at times. A season where no silverware was won, but one that every player enjoyed and one where great camaraderie was shown at times. A season which has been badly affected by the harshest winter weather conditions to have hit the UK in recent times. A season which saw the emergence of exciting youngsters coming through in the 3rd XI – the likes of Jake Watson, Sean McCaul, Warren Dolan and Peter Capplis. A season which ended with us scoring 50 goals and conceding 50 goals - so if you came to watch the 3’s, you were assured of entertainment, as our final game proved. The report for this match is as follows:
Having not played for three weeks, it was a good opportunity for us to put the memory of two painful defeats behind us and get on with the job in hand of trying to end the season on a high and finishing with a win against a very good Oakhill Tigers side.
We had previously beaten this team 8-2, so we knew they would be up for revenge and I warned the lads about complacency before the game. We began the game OK, but were not as sharp as we had been earlier in the season. I think was again a case of end of season tiredness, where we knew we did not have anything to play for, but this is wrong, as there is still the huge matter of pride and of the three points!!
Warren Dolan was welcomed back in goal, with Peter Capplis at right back and skipper Gareth Fosberry at left back. Joe Connolly partnered Big Phil Carroll at centre back. In midfield, we started with Chris Moore on the right and we welcomed 2nd team skipper Pat McEniry on the left (as the 2’s did not have a game). Vinny McKeown and Dan Healey were in the middle with Dave Cadney and Jake Watson up top. Youngster Sean McDermott (back from university) was our sub.
A couple of early breaks from the Oakhill players through our midfield saw one shot go wide and one shot saved easily by Warren. They were definitely on top and on a couple of occasions, our central defenders let the ball float dangerously over the top. We also gave the ball away a bit too easily at times. it was only after about 15 minutes when we really started to get into the game. After 20 minutes, we won a free kick just outside the box. Dave cleverly asked the ref if he could take it (he said he could) and as the Oakhill keeper was still organising his wall, Dave cheekily floated the ball into the net to make it 1-0. Jake was getting more and more into the game and some good running and tackling in the middle of the park, from Healy, McKeown, more and McEniry, saw our hard work pay off, when Peter floated in the perfect ball for the on-rushing Chris Moore to lob over the keeper and make it 2-0. Immediately, Oakhill then scored from the kick-off, as Warren was off his line and was lobbed from the centre circle. 5 minutes before half time, Dave played in Jake through the middle and his cool finish under the keeper made it 3-1 at half time.
On a baking hot day, we found some shade by the trees and took on plenty of fluids. We left things as they were but we spoke about how we needed that killer fourth goal.
Unfortunately at the start of the second half, things did not quite go to plan. After 5 minutes, we conceded a sloppy goal, when a cross to the back post was not cleared. This led to an easy finish under Warren to make it 3-2. Minutes later, they drew level when Warren let a shot slip out of his hands and onto the on-rushing forwards foot to make it 3-3. Warren then redeemed himself, making two outstanding saves to deny Oakhill players. We then conceded a fourth (so that’s three goals in 15 minutes) when we failed clear a corner. It was just sloppy defending as a team and it was frustrating as players then started to moan at each other – a bit too much for my liking, but on a positive note, it showed some passion.
This was the last of the sloppy and for the last half an hour we had good possession and created good chances. Virtually straight from the kick-off, Peter then sent over another delicious cross, which dropped nicely for Jake and he buried low under the keeper to make it 4-4. 25 minutes to go and it was all to play for. The crowd sensed a grandstand finish and our superior possession eventually told, when some good play down the right from Healey and Moore, saw Jake played in once again. This time the ball was played across and from the edge of the box he half-volleyed a left foot shot sweetly into the roof of the net. What a goal from this youngster!!
We saw out the final few minutes, with some good defending and some crucial tackles at the back and we came away deserved 5-4 winners.
Thanks to the guys who came along to support today, such as Paul O’Grady, Paul Watson, Dennis Watson, John O’Grady, James Kearns, Mark Mulvaney, Dan Wooley and Paul Coyle (sorry if I missed anyone).
A nice way to end the season and Jake deservedly won the MOM award this week for his hat-trick.
I am happy with how we ended today, but not satisfied overall, as I felt we could have won something, had we not been dealt a few unlucky blows with key injuries earlier in the season and also in losing several players to higher teams, with not really anyone coming back the other way. I feel that if we are to be successful as a club, lower down (i.e. winning league titles and cups), then the movement has to be both ways. I can also see a bright future, as this season has seen the emergence of some quality players – young and old – and this bodes well for the future.
Lastly, thanks to everyone for their support this season, especially to John O’Brien Senior and thanks also to all the players who have played for me throughout the season. I hope you enjoyed the ride.
Over and out…
Gareth Fosberry.
