OFC faced the University of Surrey 3rds this week in a fixture that historically has always been closely contested. This fixture was at their place, the very impressive Surrey Sports Park facility and the pitch was pretty much in perfect condition with short but lush grass that would suit passing.

Quite a few changes this week and a lot of debutants including. Robbie, Ally, Dan, Jack and Luke. We were also blessed to have OFC legend Tom Pryce returning to right back.

We started well and played some really impressive passing football early on which was almost reminiscent of our vintage of 2009/10 team. There were lots of nice little triangles, confidence on the ball across the back line and crazy legs Spooner spraying some glorious long balls around the pitch.

Up front and throughout the midfield we were very industrious and forced the students into a number of mistakes to give us an opportunity to attack. At the back we looked very solid with Ted winning a number of aerial challenges and organising things well with Jack. The new improved and apparently fitter than ever Tom Pryce was also instrumental in setting up a number of attacks from right back.

It was a bit against the run of play that we went behind. Basically we conceded a cheap penalty by bringing down a player in the box. The penalty was well dispatched. 1-0 UniS.

Our response to going 1-0 down was to significantly up our game and to put the Uni under long periods of pressure. Sadly for us despite a number of clear cut chances, we simply weren’t able to hit the target or work their keeper enough to score. It would also be fair to say that some of the corners that Spooner put in deserved a finish.

Despite the 1-0 scoreline, we were fired up at half time and knew this game represented an opportunity to get a much needed 3 points. We made one change and bought on Ally for Dom to add a bit more of an attacking option down the left hand side.

The second half couldn’t have started better for us. Within 5 minutes we were level through Simon McCormack and although it wasn’t the prettiest goal he’ll ever score, it was definitely a reward for a tireless shift up front when his cross come shot evaded the Uni keeper. 1-1

We took the lead when an OFC raid down the right hand side resulted in Luke smashing home from the edge of the box and from a tight angle. A nice goal and nothing less than our efforts deserved.

For the next ten minutes we remained in the ascendancy and the Uni struggled to cope with us or fend off our attacks. Again, and considering the lack of pitch time that has been shared by the team, we looked remarkably composed in possession and confident on the ball and when we didn’t have it, we were relentless in our efforts to get the ball back.

A handball in the area gave us the chance to open up the lead and it was Tom Pryce who stepped up to take it. Never a man to be short on self confidence, Prycey drilled the ball low and into the right hand corner of the net. 3-1 OFC.

Really we should have added to our lead, but the chances came and went and with the change in weather making the ball and surface a bit greasy, we started to look a bit uncertain and made one or two mistakes.

With about 15 minutes left, a Uni striker managed to fend off a number of challenges on his relentless pursuit towards the OFC goal and a good finish under pressure put them back into the game and reduced the deficit to a single goal.

The goal seemed to rock us a bit and gee the Uni on and we had to fend off a number of attacks and pressure as the game drew towards its conclusion. We too had our chances as the game became increasingly ragged, but the best chance fell to the Uni who were brilliantly prevented from equalising by new keeper Dan, who acrobatically tipped over to round off a good debut.

Overall it was a great result and on the whole, a performance that was littered with positives. Everyone who took to the pitch played well and did their job, but it was Simon up front who took the man of the match award for his goal and a thoroughly unselfish display up front.

We shouldn’t get too ahead of ourselves over this result. Traditionally the university is at its weakest at this time of year as the new academic hasn’t started yet and they will definitely be stronger next time.

Next week we play Staines who will be a vastly different proposition and will almost certainly be far more physical, organised and motivated.