GEOFF...MIKE(1)...JARV...ROB H(1)...2-GUN...FURNO...STU(1)...PEEWEE...POD...HARPS...ELLIOT...JORDIE... ROSS...DAVE E

Our resident match reporter is still sectioned and is having further work done on his hair transplant. Unfortunately, I have not received much feedback from T-Bone on my efforts of last week. Apparently, he has had his internet access taken away after being caught looking at White Meat on Black Street and OAP Close Ups! Hopefully Tim will be out soon and we wish him a speedy recovery.

This week was always going to be difficult for Oatlands despite losing last week, OFC's performance was good and the attitude was excellent. Could we keep it up again this week against a side below us in the league? These tend to be the sort of game we lose and do not apply ourselves.

Despite the change to an earlier kick off, everyone was the ground on time and it was obvious that Phil had a selection dilemma with 15 players available.

However, Phil named the following side.

Keeper - Geoff:
Defence – Two-Gun, Ross, Furno, Jarv:
Midfield – Dave 'Sicknote' Ewan, Peewee, Mike, Vanessa's Boyfriend (Jordy)
Forwards - Stu, Chris ‘the cramps' Harper
Subs – Dom, Elliot, Rob Hunter & Pod.

Obviously, slight controversy with Harp's being pushed up from but with a goal ratio of 1:2 it was worth a try. We welcomed Ross and Two Gun back in defence and there was a change to the left hand side of midfield with Jordy (who is Vanessa's serious boyfriend) taking over from Jim, who was on holiday.

Oatlands started the game in a fairly sloppy fashion and it looked like that playing against a poorer side than last week meant we did not have to try and as a result it took a few minutes to settle themselves. However, it was clear that M&W were no match for Oatlands in the middle of the park where Mike and Peewee were already starting to boss the game.

Oatlands started to play a lot better and they were having some luck using Harp's to hold the ball up and feeding the midfielders. Whilst M&W had a lively centre forward he was being well marshalled by Furno and Ross and OFC were about to play from the back. Stu worked tirelessly up front with support from Jordy and Dave Ewan on the flanks.

Despite OFC not playing as well as they could have been, the first goal was a great goal from Mike was broke from midfield after space was created by Harps dropping deep. Mike's strong run was finished with a vicious strike that thundered in at the near post. Shortly after the goal OFC nearly doubled their lead after Dave Ewan hit the cross bar from a narrow angle after more pressure down the left. This seemed to give OFC so more momentum and the second goal came shortly after. Great build up play starting at left full back with Jarv led to a move involving Mike, Jordy and Peewee, where the ball found its way to Harps on the right wing, who fired in a cross which was brilliantly met and headed in from Stu. Great goal that proved passing we can beat any side. In fact, I would have said apart from Harp's two goals in the first game and his other goal in the third game; it was the best goal of the season.

Oatlands continued to push forward and Geoff had very little to do, however a M&W free kick led to another break from Oatlands. After being cleared, Stu held the ball up well who fed Harp's and his first time pass found Mike running from midfield, Mike played it back to Stu with finished with brilliant only for the goal to be ruled out for offside. A tight call and M&W were lucky not to be 3-0 down. OFC's final chance of the first half was more direct with a goal kick from Geoff a flick on from Harp's but Stu's week shot forced a save form the keeper.

The half time whistle came and whilst OFC were two nil up, none of the team was that pleased with the performance. Throughout the team there were times in the first half where OFC were too complacent. We were getting sloppy and we got caught in possession a lot at the back and Jarv & Two tended to push up too far as they had far too much time.

At half time, Phil told us to keep playing through them as we had resorted to ‘hoofing' and not getting any joy from this.

No changes at half time and the first ten minutes of the second half were fairly even however the best moment of the game came when after a goal mouth scramble to ball fell to Jordy 3 yards out. With the keeper on the floor and virtually an open goal Jordy managed to miss so spectacularly that his shot set up an M&W attack. With about half hour to go Harp's was replaced by Rob after suffering a kick to the calf and being unable to run off a bad case of cramp. Hobbling off, he looked like a real old man!

To be honest, the second half was pretty uneventful all told. M&W battled far better and whilst not creating too many chances looked a better side than their first 45 minute showing. Oatlands continued to dominate midfield but without much success up front. OFC's next chance fell to rob after a great cross from the right; he managed to head over from 5 yards out. Rob continued to battle hard and was rewarded with a goal. To say it was soft is an understatement, Rob evaded his marker and headed softly straight at the keeper who managed to let it run through his legs for a goal. Despite it being a soft goal, a goal is still a goal and OFC had a 3 nil lead.

Towards the end of the game, Jordy was replaced by Elliot and Dave E replaced by Pod. Apologies, if I have missed anything from the second half, whilst OFC were on top and Mike and Peewee continued to boss the game not a lot happened. The final whistle came and Oatlands recorded their third straight league win, scoring ten and conceding only one! This means OFC sit in 5 th place (on goal difference).

A tough call for this week's man of the match between Mike and Peewee but Mike edged it with his goal. Massive thanks to Dom who did not get a game this week. Thanks to Pod who ran the line in the first half and Sam in the second half. As usual thanks to the supporters who turned out in good numbers as per usual.

It was also nice for everyone to get together for a beer at Abbeylands after the game where this month's player of the month was awarded to Paul ‘Peewee' Robjohn.

Next week is Oatlands' centenary game (thats 100 for those who are not that clever) and it is fitting that it is against the top (& unbeaten) of league, Pirbright Sports. It is going to be a big test but this gives us a chance to put a marker down for the rest of the teams and celebrate our 100th game. Keep up the good work.

COUNTDOWN TO BLUE HAWAII :

48 days.