GEOFF...MIKE...JARV...ROB H...JIM B...DOM...2-GUN....FURNO... STU... PEEWEE......POD...CHRIS E...DAVE E

This week's match report is dedicated to T-Bone who was unable to watch Saturday because he is in hospital.

Tim, had finally realised he was losing his hair and in an act of desperation to stop him getting an ‘island' had booked himself in to have hair replacement surgery. Although I have not spoken to Tim, I understand that he is well and that the new ginger hair colour will suit him. Hurry back T-Bone and get well soon.

This week's game was a rest from the hustle bustle of the league and was a county cup game. Surrey is a huge county and we could have been drawn from hundreds of teams from far flung places – instead we pitted our skills against local rivals Addlestone Town .

Oatlands have been up against Addlestone nearly every season and the rivalry continues this season despite Addlestone being promoted to the Premier Division and OFC being relegated to Div 2. Oatlands knew what to expect against Addlestone, a tough and well organised side who don't mind the physical and verbal elements of the game.

From having only 10 names on Thursday evening, we managed to get 13 for Saturday and arrived at Ottershaw Memorial Ground ready and raring to go. There were a few players missing from the last couple of weeks. Jack was dog sitting, Two Gun had a silly hat infection, Ross was building trident submarines and Goulash was playing with his other friends.

As a result, Phil named the following side.

Keeper - Geoff:

Defence - Dom, Harps, Tim ‘Bos' Furnival', Jarv:

Midfield – Dave ‘Sicknote' Ewan, Peewee, Mike the Bike Taylor, Jim ‘Already on Holiday ' Beckram:

Forwards - Stu Gravy, Rob Hunter:

Subs – Chris ‘PC' Ewan & Podrico '50 Caps' Sanchez.

Prior to the game Phil, told everyone to enjoy themselves and that Addlestone were the side under pressure being a Prem. Division Club. Jimmy did a great job with the toss and in the first half, OFC kicked uphill with the sun in our eyes and wind blowing in our faces! (Addlestone obviously knew the meteorological conditions well, as they by the second half the sun and the win had gone)!

As expected early exchanges were competitive with Peewee and Mike battling in the middle of midfield, Oatlands did manage to get the ball down early on and most of the play was down the left with Jarv being given plenty of time on the ball. Addlestone's early attacks were coming from the right hand side of midfield (but Jarv was doing a good job on their chirpy right midfielder) and the two runners from the centre of midfield were being marked by Mike and Peewee. Oatlands continued to knock the ball about but were unable to retain possession with little support to the front players. (As Phil said at half time, we were playing good football probably 20 yards further back than would have been ideal)! Bos was having a good game in defence and the Addlestone forwards were being marshalled well by the defence and as per usual Geoff was playing to his usual high standard in goal.

The Addlestone pressure down the left started to pay with a series of long throws causing OFC trouble. With about 15 minutes gone another long throw reached the centre midfielder inside the OFC 18 yards box and whilst he was being closely marker in strong quick turn gave him a yard or space and he finished well past Geoff's right hand.

In recent matches OFC have let a goal reduce them to rubbish, but great support from the side and encouragement from around the team seemed to spur Oatlands on. Geoff had to make a couple of saves, Dom was having good game at right back and Peewee and Mike were tirelessly tracking their men from midfield. OFC continue to play football and created themselves a couple of good chances with Harps having a shot from 25 yards (a poor) and Rob heading wide (although being flagged for offside).

Addlestone continued to press and mixed up long balls from the keeper putting Harps and Bos under pressure but they were also able to play balls out of defence. This is how Addlstone's second goal came about. A short throw out from the keeper was not closed down up field and was played through defence and midfield. Harps then made a mistake in going to ground to reach a ball he was never likely to reach and the ball ran through to the Addlestone centre forward. Only another great save from Geoff stopped him scoring but ball bounced kindly for Addlestone on the edge of the 18 yard box and despite a desperate goal line clearance by Bos, Addlestone went 2-0 up.

OFC continued to work hard all around the pitch. Dave Ewan was starting to get into to game down the right and Jim was up and down the left wing. Stu and Rob found it hard up front with tireless work but head never went down. Addlestone continued to press, had a number of corners but were given another chance when an uncharacteristically poor clearance from Geoff left the centre forward with just Geoff to beat, however Harps managed to get back to clear the ball to safety.

Half time came and despite Oatlands being two down, Phil was please with the effort and commitment and told us to keep the tempo and effort up but try and play higher up the pitch which should be a little easy with the downhill slope.

The second half started with a both sides battling well. However, neither side was making many chances with both defences playing well and both set of midfielders tracking their opposite number. The controversial point in the game came when the ref who had a very good game gave a poor penalty decision against OFC. There was no way the ref could see from where he was that the ball may have hit Bos' arm but additionally there was no way Bos could have got out the way of the ball from a yard away. (The Addlestone centre forward used the word ‘Harsh' - which says it all). The correct decision would have been a corner. However, the protesting was waved aside and Geoff was left to face the penalty. The lad taking the penalty is not OFC's favourite player, off the pitch he seems a nice lad but on it he can be a nightmare, so we are all hoping that Geoff saves or he misses. In my view it was a great penalty, hard, low to the keepers left. Hardly any keepers would have got to it but Geoff did and kept it out. Oatlands and particularly Phil were chuffed with the justice served and this pushed OFC on.

OFC started to pressure Addlestone at the back and player high up the pitch, Harps was able to push the defence up further and enable the midfielders to push up more. Oatlands best chance of the game came when a strong run from Rob Hunter was stopped by a clumsy challenge on the edge of the Addlestone area. The defender was rightly booked and after having wasted a chance in the first half Jarv's excellent free kick was parried by the keeper only for the incoming Oatlands player to shot straight back into the keeper's hands.

Phil made a straight switch Pod coming on for Rob and Pod added some composure and weight to his belly, sorry the attack. However, OFC suffered a sucker and undeserving punch when the Addlestone left full back was allowed to advance and hit a speculative shot from 25 yards which bent into the top corner. 3-0 Addlestone.

Jarv was replaced by Chris Ewan after an injury and OFC changed to 3 at the back to counter the change in formation by Addlestone.

OFC continue to push for a late goal but it didn't come and the game ended 3-0 to the Premier division team. Whilst I am biased, the score did not reflect the game and 3-0 sounds bad. There is no denying that Addlestone were the better side, created more chances and deserved to win but Oatlands battled well and whilst not creating too many chances deserved a goal for the effort.

Addlestone can have some negative things about them but the more we play them the more we gain their respect for hard work and effort we put in. They are a good side, with good players and do move the ball well. They are strong and organise at the back and the centre midfielders both run for fun and are always available. Since the early encounters the banter between the players has been good and Oatlands wish them luck in the cup and the rest of the league season. Unfortunately for Jarv the pub banter got the better of him and he ended up cleaning an Addlestone's player's boots!

Again, for Oatlands it proves with the right effort and attitude we can complete and need to take this attitude and effort into every game.

This week is easy to give an assessment of each player as everyone battled so hard and was committed to Oatlands.

Geoff – amazing save, unlucky with the second goal but OFC are lucky to have him.

Dom – Steady as ever and never gives in, great game

Harps – Mistake for second goal but worked hard at the back and encourage throughout!

Bos – Great performance and solid at the back and always good on the ball

Jarv – Despite a bad foot, played well and kept Chirpy quiet

Dave E – Despite his lack of fitness, stamina, touch and a sicknote, got better as the game got on putting in some excellent crosses in the second half.

Mike – Great battle and as ever up and down chasing everything

Peewee – a really mature performance from the wee man, doing his job tracking his oppo who is hard to mark and runs for fun. A genuine contender for man of the match.

Jim – Despite going on holiday Saturday evening, Jim risked a leg break and injury and worked his socks off.

Stu – As ever worked hard up front and is a great asset to the club

Rob- Worked hard again and never quite got the bounce of the ball

Pod – Showed composure when he came on and even bloodied himself for the cause

Chris E – Good to see Chris back and played well when he came on. Also thanks the PC Chris for running the line in the first half.

Geoff got man of the match for his penalty save but it could have gone to a number of players.

It was a good performance with lots of positives and lets focus fro next week and get that push for promotion going!

A big thank you to the supporters. Even at an away game we have good support. Two Gun and Jack get special mentions for coming down and supporting when injured. Big thanks to Greg, Aimee and Dione as I think you have all the games and welcome back Shubrook too.

Lastly we tend to thank the supporters and Steve etc but this week a special thanks to Phil. He gives up his Thursday and Saturdays to get us motivated and organised. It is not easy as particularly when we have weeks when we are awful. Hopefully we had got over this blip and can keep working hard for him and each other. To firstly do this, try and get to training. If you cannot make it let Harps, Phil and Jim (but not this week) know.

COUNTDOWN TO BLUE HAWAII :

54 days.