After last week’s extremely disappointing performance against Woburn, Oatlands were up against league leaders Knaphill in a critical game for their promotion hopes. Last time out against Knaphill we wasted a string of chances in front of goal and eventually lost 4-1 in a game which on another day we might have won.

The absence of Sonny, Ted and Furno and no back up in the form of Harps or Mike meant that yet again we had no established centre backs, but we were boosted by the return of 2-Gun and Ross who were both required to make up the numbers at the back. Jim was also back after a week away through injury.

This week’s team Sam (GK), Pete H (LB), Fraz (CB), Ross (CB), 2-Gun (RB), Joe (LM) Pete B (CM), Gravy (CM), Baynezy (RM), Jim (CF) Pod (ST). Jarv, Andy, Dan and Clarky on the bench.

It was the first time we’ve played at home in 6 weeks and in that time the pitch has seriously deteriorated into a boggy brown mess that was extremely heavy under foot.

The early exchanges in the game were fairly even and from the start it appeared that this would probably be a tight contest. From our perspective though, the first 10 minutes were a massive improvement from last week with everyone on the pitch seemingly a bit more determined to win their own individual battles.

For us it was Gravy who really grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck. Since moving out of the role of striker and into the centre of midfield, Gravy really seems to have found his best position and in the early stages of the game he won numerous headers and challenges and set a fine example to all those around him.

Once the game settled we started to play well. Our passing was crisp despite the difficult conditions and unlike the last time we played Knaphill, we were first to everything and gave the league leaders no time or space when they had the ball.

With all our usual centre backs and their replacements all missing, last years top scorer Ross Elliot stepped into the fold and played alongside Fraz together with Pete and 2-Gun. Although we had a striker at right back and an attacking midfielder at centre back, we looked solid and cut out any potential threats from the Knaphill attack long before they got within shooting range.

It was probably half way through the first half when the first shot on target came and it was from Pod, who hit a rasping drive from about 25 yards which the keeper handled well.

Shortly after Oatlands should have taken the lead. Baynezy carved open the Knpahill defence down the right hand side and played in the perfect low cross along the floor where Jim was waiting in front of goal, any sort of contact would have seen OFC take the lead but miraculously there was no contact and the ball drifted harmlessly away.

Heading toward halftime we were playing well and were easily the better of the 2 sides. We were first to everything, passed it well and we just needed a goal to show for our efforts.

The referee was a frustrating factor for both sides, I think it was his first ever game, but any time that a Knaphill or Oatlands player went near each other, his whistle would blow provoking justifiable shouts of “no way ref” from both sets of players and our supporters.

At half time Phil didn’t really need to change anything, but warned that we should prepare for Knaphill to come out fighting after being outplayed for much of the 1 st half.

We started the second half well and instantly settled back into the pattern of fighting for every loose ball and passing the ball round nicely when we were in possession. Our main threat looked like it would almost certainly come from wide areas. Down the right hand side, Baynezy and 2-Gun combined well and down the left side Joe was having a great game and was being well supported by Pete Hallam.

About ten minutes in Oatlands opened the scoring and it was from the most unlikely of sources. Jim Beckram picked the ball up out on the left hand side and in our half and ran at the Knaphill right back, Jim then went on to beat 2 players before putting in a left footed cross that will surely go down as his best ever left footed connection with a football. A great cross found its way to the back post where both Pete Butler and Andy Bayne were now lying in wait. After a bit of a melee involving Pete, Baynezy and the ball coming off the underside of the bar Baynezy claimed the goal. 1-0 Oatlands

Having scored we continued to look like the stronger team. Knaphill did threaten but whenever they had the opportunity to put in the killer pass it just seemed like it wasn’t going to be their day in front of goal.

Jim Beckram very nearly made it 2-0 five minutes after our first. After breaking through on goal and attacking from the right hand side of the box he unleashed a shot that looked destined for the goal. Sadly for Jim, the Knaphill keeper made an exceptional and spectacular save and was then up on his feet quick enough to prevent the OFC strikeforce pouncing on the loose ball.

The referee who wasn’t great then provided a moment of comedy genius. Having pulled up just about every tackle in the game it was time for him to practice the yellow card procedure. A slightly late Knaphill challenge was the cue for him to do his first booking and after what seemed like an endless discussion; it appeared that the Knaphill player was asked to write his own name in the book.

Our second goal was the result of some great football down the right hand side. Following some nice little triangles between 2-Gun, Baynezy and our central midfield players, 2-Gun had time and space to deliver a cross which dropped perfectly for Jim 6 yards out. Jim made no mistake from 6 yards and polished the move off with a text book striker’s finish. 2-0

With OFC 2-0 up both teams made changes. We bought on Dan Regan up front to add a bit of extra pace and passion and Knaphill looked like they went for wholesale change up front..

It was understandable that being 2-0 against the league leaders in a game that we had to win, that there were a few nerves going into what we thought was the final 10 minutes of the game.

Our nerves were not helped when we conceded a soft penalty following total carnage in our own penalty area. It looked like a soft decision but the spot kick was very well dispatched by Knaphill. 2-1.

As the game drew towards its conclusion, Knaphill put us under considerable pressure but we defended in large numbers and defended well, throwing bodies in front of the ball and continuing to contest every loose ball in every area of the pitch. At the death tempers began to flair slightly with one of the Knaphill centre halves having an exchange of views with some of the supporters who had braved the conditions to come and watch the game.

After what seemed an eternity and at least 6 minutes of added on time, the referee bought the game to an end and OFC were worthy winners of a vitally important game.

Overall it was a vast improvement on last week and an all round good performance by everyone on the pitch. We fought for every loose ball, won our individual battles and played some decent football. Gravy got the man of the match for an outstanding day in the centre of midfield in which he won just about everything he contested. But there were a number of other great individual performances as well.

For us it puts us well and truly in the hunt for promotion and third in the table. Knaphill lead the pack on account of the extra games they have played and had we not had our victory against Weysiders taken away we might be closer. But none the less, if we win our games in hand we will overtake them in the table.

Next week we play away to Mytchett Rangers in what will almost certainly be a physical encounter and a potentially tough match. The likes of Sonny, Ted, Furno and Harps could all be back and will no doubt be hungry to take back the places in the team that they have lost, so it’s up to everyone to get to training and make it a difficult decision for Phil next Saturday.

A big thanks to all the supporters who braved Saturday’s conditions to offer their encouragement. Details of next week’s game will be on the forum and website, so hopefully we’ll see you there. Also check out our match reports in the Walton and Weybridge Surrey Herald.

Note from the Chairman: Saturday's game was the 150th game for Oatlands FC as a Club. Many thanks to all the dedication from those on and off the pitch in making this milestone and I look forward to many more.