Oatlands were faced with another tough encounter this weekend as we squared off against AFC Hersham in a nostalgic visit to our spiritual home at Whitely Village. Last time out against AFC they showed tremendous spirit and turned us over after we went into half time 2-0 up.

This week injuries and extensive unavailability meant the usual shuffle of the pack in terms of team selection with regulars Harps, Sonny, Jiz, Ross, Clarky and Gravy all unavailable this week. This meant a return to the team for 2-Gun and Jarv for their first outings since before the Christmas break. We also welcomed back Furno, Pete Hallam and Sam

This weeks team: Will, Pete H, Fraz , Furno, Tom, Baynezy, Pete B, Mike, Spooner, Pod and Jim. On the bench Sam, Jarv and 2-Gun.

We kicked off on a pitch that was just as we remembered it; small and bumpy in the corners. We didn’t start particularly well because the first thing we did was to kick the ball straight off the pitch.

Last time out AFC had a player who completely dominated the game from midfield so our tactic was to deploy Mike Taylor in a role that would involve shutting down this players influence on the game. It was a tactic that worked well and from the start no AFC player had any time on the ball. Because of the size of the pitch it was a game that had a very congested feel about it and it was imperative that the ball be moved quickly.

Oatlands were definitely the better of the 2 teams in the opening 10 minutes and a shot from distance from Tom Pryce that just shaved the upright was the first look that either team had at the others goal.

While we probably shaved it in terms of possession, AFC always looked a threat on the counter attack via their pacey and skilful forwards. Fortunately for us we looked very solid defensively and their strikers usually succumbed to overwhelming numbers before they could get a shot off.

Both teams were affected early in the game by forced substitutions. For AFC Hersham one of their strikers was forced from the pitch and for us right back Tom Pryce was forced off with knee trouble. Fortunately we had a ready made replacement on the bench and 2-Gun came on for his first game since December.

Oatlands had threatened on a number of occasions; some superb passing and movement in and around the AFC penalty area looked like it might unlock the defence but too often when it looked like we might be through, there was often an AFC Hersham boot to poke the ball away from danger.

It was after 30 minutes that OFC took the lead. It was a great goal as well. Passes were exchanged in the midfield, before Jim was played in down the right hand side. Jim broke with the ball and crossed superbly to where Joe had swept in at the back post. Joe made no mistake from close range with a first time finish and Oatlands were in the lead. 1-0

Having gone a goal up it would now be important to ensure that we protected it. Again we set about our task well and continued to fight for everything in midfield and played a high tempo passing game when we had possession. As suspected AFC Hersham hit us back hard and in the closing minutes of the first half we were put under more pressure than at any point so far in the game. We defended extremely well on the whole but we did ride our luck to some extent when late on, their number 10 broke clear but blasted his shot well over while under little pressure.

At half time there was little that really needed changing. We knew that Hersham would come back at us hard and we also knew that if we got lazy, particularly in the midfield area, we would quickly find ourselves under intense pressure.

If anything we actually stepped our performance up a notch at the start of the second half. All across the team, everyone seemed to be at the top of their game. At the back Furno and Fraz looked extremely solid in central defence and out wide Pete and 2-Gun gave their opponents very little change and were also available to support those ahead and around them if an outlet was needed.

In central midfield and much to the frustration of AFC, Mike Taylor basically chopped his way through the oppositions central pairing and every time the ball broke free, Pete Butler was there to take possession and make something happen. Out in the wide areas Baynezy and Joe got through a lot of work as they helped our full backs and supported our attackers.

Up front Pod was playing superbly well and held the ball up in a manner that allowed many more team mates to come into play and while Jim led the line well, it was his closing down of defenders that helped the team most.

10 minutes into the second half OFC doubled the lead. Again the danger came from the right hand side and but this time it was Baynezy who found time and space to cross. His cross was right on the money and Jim Beckram was there to head it goalward. Unfortunately for Jim, the AFC keeper made an amazing save and pushed it on to the bar but Pod was there to follow up and scrambled it home to make it 2-0.

We were very much in the ascendancy again and after one of their key players left the pitch, Pete Butler began to pull the strings in midfield and was unlucky not to make it 3-0 when the opposition keeper pulled off another great save from his rasping shot.

With 20 minutes left we were still relatively comfortable, Will hadn’t been forced to make a save and the back line ensured that Hersham were rarely able to penetrate our penalty area, however AFC won a corner on the left hand side and gave themselves a controversial foothold in the game.

From the side it looked like a blatent foul had occurred as the ball was being delivered, but the referee missed it and full advantage was taken with a superbly taken volley that rifled low into the net. It was now 2-1, we didn’t think the goal should have stood, but we were just going to have to deal with it.

Having bagged a goal, it was now AFC Hersham who were in the ascendancy and they began to push us deep into our own half, forcing the very best out of our back four. Despite the pressure, Will still didn’t have to make a save and shots on our goal were few and far between, although we did severely ride our luck when the referee failed to give a blatant penalty.

It was with about 10 minutes left that we killed the game. On this occasion we broke away in a counter attack with Jim Beckram carrying the ball. Joe Spooner who ran tirelessly up and down the left hand side all game was in space and called for the ball and it was laid perfectly into his path. Joe could have taken a touch but chose to hit the ball first time. It was clearly the right choice and he struck it perfectly leaving the keeper with no chance 3-1.

At this point and with the game virtually over we gave rests to both Pod and to Joe and Jarv and Sam came on to replace them.

It should have been 4-1 late on when Jarv struck a superb, unstoppable and curling volley from distance but while we were reeling off in celebration, the AFC Hersham linesman controversially raised his flag for offside. Obviously we were gutted, but it didn’t matter as the points were secure and the referees whistle went a few moments later.

Overall it was an excellent team performance against one of the best teams in the league. Everyone played well individually and won their personal battles. It was difficult to choose a man of the match. Joe did superbly, scoring twice on his 18 th birthday, Pete Butler pulled the strings in midfield, Jim Beckram set 2 goals up, Pod was outstanding up front, the back four looked rock solid, Baynezy was in the team meaning that statistically we were more likely to win and Will was unlucky not to have kept a clean sheet. But the man of the match went to Mike Taylor who absolutely outstanding and dominated the central midfield area.

Next up we face AFC Woburn who beat us 3-1 earlier in the season. If we are to have any hope of taking something out of that game we will need to put in the same level of performance as this week.

A big thanks to all those that came down to offer their support – it doesn’t go unnoticed.