GEOFF...JARV(1)...2-GUN...TOM...STU...PEEWEE...POD...HARPS...ELLIOT...JIM B... ROSS(1)...JORDIE(1)...MIKE... DOM

OFC needed to bounce back quickly after last weeks gutting last minute winner by league leaders Pirbright. On paper Mytchett seemed like a good opportunity to get back on track, but we have made hard work some of the lower placed teams in the league this year, so nothing less than 100% would be required.

A couple of changes this week. Jim and Dave both withdrew through injury and after last weeks howler at the back, Furno couldn't even make the bench. The changes meant that Big Steve, Mike Taylor and Tom all started this week. With Jim Beckram out of the team and Furno barred from even supporting, it was good to see that PeeWee was given the honour of captaining the side.

Before the game started we were told that there would be no referee which is never good news. However the news got even worse when we arrived at the Mytchett ground and were begged by Mytchett to provide the referee because they didn't have one and only had 12 players, aAfter it looked like the game would be called off, Phil stepped in and agreed to ref the match. We also provided all the necessary equipment. The game would now go ahead and it was critical that we won.

This weeks team; Geoff, Ross, Tom, 2-Gun, Jarv, Big Steve, Mike, Peewee, Elliot, Gravy and Harps. Dom, Rob and Jordy on the bench.

Mytchett kicked the game off on a small pitch that would prove difficult to pass on due to the long grass. After watching some of the Mytchett warm up, we were obviously so confident of victory that we forgot to start. To describe our start as pedestrian would be unfair because we weren't that quick. Far too often in the opening 5 minutes we were slow to react or lazy with our passes and subsequently we found ourselves under pressure. Thankfully our manager was the referee so people didn't receive the bollocking they probably deserved.

With 5 minutes gone we managed to get going and without being disrespectful to Mytchett, we were clearly a much better side and should have been more than capable of securing all three points. It was Mike who had our first opportunity, a shot from distance that sailed over the top of the goal and did its best to go over the trees as well. It set the tone for the whole game.

With 15 minutes gone, it was all Oatlands and we absolutely dominated possession. Generally we got the ball on the floor at the back and passed it around and moved forward from there, but on far too many occasions we lacked an end product, either giving the ball away cheaply near their penalty area, making the wrong decision or failing to take the easy option. Despite having absolutely acres of space, the ability to beat players and a sweet left foot, Elliot was a virtual spectator out on the left, as we chose taking on players or 20 yard shot as the preferred option to a more simple ball out wide.

Midway through the first half we should have taken the lead. Some nice play from us down the left carved the opposition open and the ball was squared to Stew who was waiting on the penalty spot. It was one of those opportunities where you have so much time that you end up thinking about it rather than just drilling it goalward and the result was a shot that curled past the far post.

At the back we had little to worry about as Ross and Tom marshaled the pacey opposition strikers well. For Geoff the only problem was clearing a ball that was extremely light and didn't really look suitable for a match situation.

From the side the OFC team looked frustrated as we carved out many opportunities to put in a killer ball, but failed to do so. The result was an increasing number of shots from distance and the dreaded long ball started to creep in, a tactic easily dealt with by the tall Mytchett centre halves. Again from the side it was frustrating to watch, as we appeared to making too many poor decisions and were still playing at slow pace. Thankfully the opposition struggled to put more than one or two passes together and seemed happy to just put long balls over the top on the off chance one of their pacey strikers might get on the end of it.

As we approached half time you got the impression that one goal would probably open the floodgates, but if we didn't score there was always a chance that the opposition might score and nick all the points. Despite all the possession and dominating the first half we trudged in at half time without forcing a save out of their keeper.

Not really much to say at half time, we needed to make better use of the flanks, keep things more simple and cut out the long balls. Then it would only be a matter of time until we scored.

We made a great start to the second half, upping the tempo and putting the opposition under immediate pressure. As with the first half it was all OFC possession and virtually everyone on the team got plenty of time on the ball.

Phil who stepped in to ref was doing a great job in the middle and let the game flow, it made for a physical encounter but I think every team in the league would rather that, than have a ref who blows up at any given opportunity. Despite doing a good job and calling the game straight down the middle, it wasn't good enough for the Mytchett no.2, who argued with just about every decision Phil made.

We continued to work hard in all areas of the pitch to find that elusive goal again shots went wide and high, crosses went just behind the runners into the box and we made a bit of a monkeys breakfast out of the really good opportunities that we had. 20 minutes into the second half we made our first change. Jordy came on for Big Steve and it was a well deserved rest for Pod after a good and industrious performance down the right. With Jordy on the pitch we probably had a bit more pace down the right hand side and Jordy had already said that he felt this would be a game in which he would score and with his record of more than a goal every other game; we hoped his instincts were right.

After seeing his brother with one hand already on the fairy trophy for pulling out of a game with a sore finger, Dave decided that there was still a chance that the trophy could be his for a third consecutive year and headed to his car to watch the game because it was too cold outside.

We were now approaching the stage in the game where frustration on the side and on the pitch was turning to tension. If we failed to score for much longer there was always a possibility that a freak goal could occur down the other end and condemn us to a defeat. Scoring was now imperative.

We finally got the goal we so badly needed with about 20 minutes left. The goal was fitting for a game in which we couldn't hit a cow's arse with a banjo. Jarv hit a right footed in swinging corner which either curled massively or got caught in the wind. Either way, it went straight in and the pressure seemed to be off. 1-0

Scoring the goal should have given us a lift and we should have kicked on from there, but we appeared to be a little bit complacent immediately after the goal. As a result Mytchett enjoyed their best spell of the game and for the first time in the match Geoff was called in to action and if it wasn't for some desperate blocks and a clearance off the line Mytchett may well have equalized. It also appeared that Mytchett needed reminding that they were one nil down. Their argumentative no.2 leathering the ball as far away from the pitch as possible while under little pressure from an Oatlands player.

Having survived the mini storm, we then went and got a second goal. It was probably our best passage of play in the entire game and it was a move that was started and finished by our excellent new centre back, Ross. The ball was bought out of defence and played out to our right hand side 3-4 players were involved in some slick passing in triangles and the ball was released to Ross who had continued his run from defence. He took it in his stride and fired a low shot from the edge of the 18 yard box that left the keeper with no chance. 2-0. A great team goal, Ross's first for the club and our 14 th different scorer this season.

With the points seemingly in the bag we took the opportunity to make our second change. Chris Harper who had held the ball up well all afternoon and allowed our midfield to join our attack on numerous occasions was replaced by Rob Hunter, a player with a bit more of a direct style up front.

2-0 should have become 3-0. Jordy, operating down the right hand side found himself in acres of space after a mistake from a Mytchett defender. He cut into the box where there were 3 OFC players and the opposing keeper. Anything squared (no matter how poorly) would have found an OFC shirt and the score would have been 3-0. Unfortunately at the crucial moment Jordy's left footed touch was horrendous and the ball dribbled harmlessly into the grateful keepers arms. The error prompted many shouts of “rubbish!” and “you're shit!” from the sideline.

Jordy quickly silenced the doubters on the sideline with a sweetly struck left footed volley on the edge of the box, the ball dipping just under the bar and the points were secure. 3-0 OFC. Jordy now moves on to 3 for the season and the race for the golden boot is hotting up.

With the points in the bag we lifted our foot off the gas a bit too much and Mytchett managed to grab a consolation goal from close range, which really shouldn't have happened and tarnished our efforts throughout the rest of the game.

With about 10 minutes left we made our final substitution. Jarv, after having a typically strong performance was given a break to allow last years “players player” Dom Gallagher some much deserved match time. As you would expect from Dom, his stall was set out straight away and despite some clever tricks the Mytchett right winger couldn't shake Dom off and wouldn't manage to do so again before the end of the game.

The final minutes were poor and both teams had clearly settled for the result and if anything Mytchett ended better. Finally, with a bit of added on time to compensate for all the ball collecting from the side of the pitch Phil blew up for full time and we had earned another vital 3 points.

Overall we clearly wanted it more and were rewarded with the win. We made hard work of it, especially in the first half as we overcomplicated things by trying to be a bit too clever with our passes and we were undoubtedly guilty of not making the most of the opportunities that fell our way. In the second half our persistence inevitably paid off in the end and we deserved to win. Although it wasn't an outstanding performance everyone gave 100%, we stuck to the task as a team and won the sort of game that we have lost in the past. This week's man of the match was Peewee with a captain's performance and this week the donkey t-shirt goes to Mike who despite putting in another great performance in the centre also had some very forgettable shots from distance.

It was a real shame to see that Mytchett were so poorly organised this week, we should look at this and be extremely grateful for the way our club is run. We have 2 very competent referees (if required) in Sam and Phil, the best possible match day/training facilities and equipment and the best website in the league, so please do not take for granted the immense amounts of hard work the likes of Phil and especially Beater put in behind the scenes. Next week we play at home to Shottermill and Haslemere, a team directly below us in the league. Again, it is absolutely critical to get three points and that starts by getting to training and letting Steve or Phil know whether you are available, so we can prepare for the game.

A big thanks to the supporters who came down to cheer the lads on, (including Dave who watched from his car)as always your support is very much appreciated and we hope to see you again next week when we are at home.