SAM...POD...HARPS...JARV...ROBH...MIKE...DJIMI...DOM...STEVEN...FURNO...JACK(1)...DAVE E...2-GUN...STU

Oatlands faced AFC Chilworth in the Premier Cup Quarter final this week; we've already played them twice this year and lost both times. First time round we were slightly unlucky and might have taken something, but for 2 very big defensive errors. Second time round we were just poor and thoroughly deserved to lose. This time round there was reason to be confident after some strong results in recent weeks.

This week's team Sam, Harps, Furno, Dom, Jarv, Mike, Pod, Djimi, Goulash, Stu, 2-Gun. Rob, Jack, Psycho on the bench.

Typical season 2005/6 weather; wind rain and cold. But despite the weather both teams were well supported, making for a good atmosphere and hopefully a bit of banter.

We started the game kicking into the wind and up the slight slope and on a pitch that was in pretty reasonable shape. It was probably in the first minute of the game that the first blow came to Oatlands. OFC midfield maestro Steve Goulash was involved in a coming together with a Chilworth player and got caught heavily on the knee. Despite efforts to patch him up and get him back in the game it was clear that he wouldn't be able to continue and so we made our first substitution, bringing Rob Hunter on. As a result of the change Djimi went into centre midfield and Rob went up front.

The next ten minutes were an ugly affair. We couldn't string 3 passes together and Chilworth, despite having practically all the possession were finding their own forward passes getting caught in the wind. Ultimately there was a lot collecting the ball involved from miles off the pitch.

Our lack of possession seemed to primarily come down to the fact that every time we got the ball we were either muscled off it by a physically strong Chilworth side or our passes went badly astray, this meant that our back four were given quite a bit of pressure to deal with. As has been the case in recent weeks though, our back four looked very settled and has been made up of the same 4 players for about the last half a dozen games, meaning that we have certainly seemed to have achieved some consistency in defence.

Unfortunately despite looking very solid, our back line was opened up after about 15 minutes. Djimi stretched to intercept a long ball from the Chilworth back line, but unfortunately despite his best efforts he could only divert the path of the ball, wrong footing our centre backs and finding the quick witted striker. With just Sam to beat, the chance was well taken putting Chilworth 1-0 up.

After going 1-0 down we were still not able to change the nature of the game, we found the ball repeatedly come back in our direction and we struggled to muster any sort of chance going forward. Chilworth didn't have it all there own way and there were mini battles all over the pitch as both teams fought tooth and nail for every ball. The result was a very stop-start type of game which was broken up by numerous Oatlands fouls, this despite the best efforts of the referee to keep the game flowing.

Chilworth thought they had scored a second midway though the first half, a well worked move on the left culminated in a great cross and headed finish. The goal was ruled out for offside.

It was shortly after the disallowed goal that OFC had their first chance, a typically good delivery from a Jarv corner was met at the back post by Furno, but unable to keep the header down, the ball cleared the bar, resulting in a goal kick.

While the score was at 1-0 there was always a chance that we might get back into the game, therefore it was vital that we didn't concede a second goal before half time and with the wind assisting us in the second half, there was a possibility the pendulum might swing in our favour later in the game. Heading toward half time we defended resolutely and ensured that at the break the score remained only 1-0.

At half time an injury meant that we had to sub our sub and therefore Jack came on to replace Rob Hunter up front. Phil gave a talk, but there wasn't really that much to say. Basically we had worked hard to ensure that we had an opportunity to still win the game, but unfortunately barring set pieces we looked pretty unlikely to score unless we got possession and ensured that when we kicked the ball, it was kicked to an OFC player, rather than 30 yards past our strikers or straight to the opposition which was the favoured tactic in the first half.

We started the second half nervously and again we struggled to match Chilworth physically. Stu got the ball up front on a number of occasions, but on nearly every occasion he was quickly surrounded by Chilworth players, essentially ending our attacks before they begun.

From the sideline it was still an ugly game to watch and both sides struggled with the conditions meaning the game had no flow to it. You couldn't question the effort on the part of our players, everybody fought hard to win the ball and very rarely did a header or 50/50 go uncontested, but we just lacked invention whenever we were in possession. Chilworth definitely looked the more likely to score but didn't really trouble Sam because all their possession generally ended with in a clearance or tackle by a well organised and determined OFC back line.

I thought the referee had a pretty good game, he tried to let things go as much as possible and although the match was very eagerly contested by both sides, he didn't really need to get involved as it was played in a very good spirit. The referee did eventually have to get out the card after Jarv persistently caught his opposite number and finally the ref lost patience with him.

Jack who came on as a sub at half time had very little opportunity to use his pace during the first part of the second half and it wasn't until there were about 15 minutes to go before he was finally set free. Using his pace down the right he finally got round the back of the Chilworth defence and put in a decent cross which was forced out for a corner. The resulting corner wasn't one of Jarv's best deliveries and went low into the 6 yard box where a crowd of players were waiting. In a classic goalmouth scramble it was OFC who benefited and Jack Hillier scored a vital goal from a yard out. Suddenly, and against the run of play OFC were now back in the game.

Having levelled the tie, OFC were not able to capitalize on the blow dealt to Chilworth and the game immediately settled back into the same tedious pattern adopted over the previous 75 minutes. Chilworth with possession which was generally broken up on the edge of our 18 yard box, OFC not looking like scoring. God help us if there is another 30 minutes of this.

The game was looking destined for extra time when Dom made yet another vital interception to see the ball out for a corner. OFC had not really been troubled so far in the game from any of the previous 10 corners. This time however the ball went deep and despite the close attention of Harps, a Chilworth player made a great leap from level with the penalty spot and the ball cannoned off the bottom of the bar into the net, sparking off wild celebrations among the Chilworth supporters and players.

With a minute left on the clock there was little OFC could do as Chilworth ran the ball into the corner wasting precious seconds and despite our best efforts the referee blew his whistle to signal the end of the game and OFC were out. 2-1

Overall, I think if Goulash was describing our performance it would be a case of “big heart, medium skill”. We certainly tried our best but, ultimately we didn't play well enough when in possession and lacked creativity. The fact that we lost Goulash to injury early in the game didn't help, but it certainly wasn't the cause of our defeat. We never really got the ball down on the ground and failed to create enough serious chances on goal, despite having a team of players more than capable of doing so.

Next week we have Shere at their ground in the league. This is another must win game and anything less than 3 points is not going to be good enough. We can take heart from the fact that last time out we were comfortable winners, but in this league the team that wants the victory the most generally takes home the points, so yet again we need to make sure that we are first to every ball, take our chances, talk to each other from start to finish and play as a team. If you are available contact Steve, Djimi or Phil via the phone, email, forum etc etc.

A massive thanks to all those who braved the cold. We say it every week but your support does not go unnoticed and if you can make it next week please come along ( Flint at 1pm).

Best of luck to Chilworth who face Bedfont Green in the semi final. We have played them 3 times this year and lost 3 times, but they have always been sporting and gracious in victory, so we hope they go on to greater things.