SAM A ...PETE H...SONNY...FRASER...ANDY B...PETE B(1)...ROSS(1)...MIKE,,,STEW(1)...JIM...POD...HARPS(1)... JARV...ANDY E

Good performances and a freebee from Staines have meant that after a disappointing run in to Christmas, we are now technically unbeaten in over a month. This week we played GCW, a team we know extremely well and also a team that took 3 points off us in the first game of the season. Weysiders sit just below us in the table and therefore nothing less than victory would be required from this game.

Another positive training session was a good build up to the game and it was good to see Jack Hillier back in action and the fact that Furno has started chopping through his own team mates at training shows that he is also edging closer to making a return.

This week there were 4 changes to the side that played so well against Chobham. Steve Clarke moved to the bench and was replaced by Gravy. Ted was suffering from an injury and could only support. He was replaced by Mike. Up front Tom was touring with his band and Olly has gone back to Uni. They were replaced by Djimi and Pod.

The team; Sam in the sticks. Bainsy, Fraser, Sonny and Pete at the back. Pete B, Ross, Mike and Gravy in midfield. Pod and Djimi providing the pace up front. Another strong bench consisted of Steve C, Andy, Jarv and Harps.

Considering the weather, the pitch was in pretty good condition, but you knew there would be someone who was unprepared and would have the wrong footwear. This week it was Pete Butler who had completely forgotten his magic yellow boots (they're magic because apparently he gets in, leaves them in the hallway and their cleaned and ready for him next time he needs to use them). After a small panic, they were delivered just before kick off.

We got the game underway and started quite brightly. We ensured that from the off we didn't give the opposition much time on the ball and allowed ourselves the opportunity to settle, get the ball down and pass it to each other.

This Oatlands team has clearly come quite a long way since our first encounter of the season with GCW. At that point Sonny, Fraser and Pete Butler were all making their debuts for the club. At that point all 3 looked a bit nervous and being 20, 16 and 17 respectively it was probably their first taste of adult football. Now Sonny commands our back four, Fraser has only failed to start in about 2 games and Pete is probably our most creative player.

As a team we all worked hard to support each other and were fairly vocal for the first ten minutes and it was us who created the first chances of the game, albeit from deadball situations.

As the match progressed it was clear that both teams were going to be blighted by some bizarre refereeing decisions. Weysiders clearly got the worst of it in the first half when our fouls on them seemed to be initially let go by the referee, only to bought back for a free kick when they appeared to be in an advantageous position and potentially goal scoring position.

We opened the scoring after about 20 minutes. Breaking down the left hand side, I think it was Pete Butler who crossed the ball which caused havoc in the box and a deflection that looped over the keepers head. The ball appeared to be going in anyway, but Gravy was on hand to bundle the ball in from a distance that not even he could miss from - 6 inches. 1-0 OFC.

We should have kicked on from there but instead we lost our way a little. At the back we continued to look rock solid. In our previous outings against GCW B we have been undone on multiple occasions by the big striker who may look a bit gangly, but is a very good player who has a lethal touch seemingly especially when its against us. Despite this, for about the first time ever against GCW we seemed to have him under control with Fraser often beating him in the air and Sonny comfortably matching him for pace and guile.

In midfield we were guilty of giving the ball away too often when in possession and very often it was down to poor decision making rather than pressure from the opposition. Subsequently GCW found themselves creeping back into the match.

We were punished 10 minutes before half time. GCW picked up the ball near the halfway line and some good skill (and a nutmeg) resulted in the right sided player breaking free and cutting in towards goal. He was very quick to let his shot go and it caught Sam out at the near post. Sam tried to get back across but could only push it into the side netting of the goal. 1-1.

As the first half reached its conclusion, it was still pretty frustrating to watch and probably just as frustrating for those on the pitch. While GCW didn't really look in any danger of scoring, we also didn't really look like scoring either. Djimi and Pod toiled away up front but the passes didn't seem to be coming from midfield or from out wide that would see them get a genuine opportunity. Again our decision making was poor with far too many passes going astray.

Far too often when we start playing badly, it's because we stop talking too each other and this was starting to creep into our play. Far too often it would only have required a call to avoid two Oatlands players contesting the same header or going for the same ball, but because we kept our mouth shut we were allowing an opposition player to nick the ball or pick up the second ball from our own headers.

At half time there wasn't much to say. We needed a bit more width from Pete and Gravy and we needed to get numbers in the box. Phil also made it clear to those who haven't played Weysiders before that they are the sort of team that will never give up or let their heads drop and while the scores remain even, they would certainly believe they can get something out the game.

We started the second half in much the same way that we started the first half and everyone on the pitch looked hungry as we piled into tackles and began to retain possession much better than in much of the first half.

At right back, Bainsy was in superb form. His pace and strength prevented any threat from attackers and his ability not just to make a tackle and put it safe, but also to bring the ball out, make a pass and move into an attacking position mean that we seem to have acquired an excellent new addition to the team.

With 15 minutes gone in the second half we began to turn the screw on GCW and the pressure eased on our defence. Apart from the goal we conceded, our back four looked extremely solid and more than capable of dealing with the GCW attacking threat. Sam was also increasingly becoming a spectator.

20 minutes into the second half we took the lead. Pete Butler put in yet another superb ball into the box and this time it was top scorer Ross Elliot who arrived at the back post to make it 2-1 to OFC.

Friday night's drinking and a lack of match fitness seemed to be taking its toll on Pod and that was what prompted Phil to make his first change of the match. On came grizzly looking OFC veteran Chris Harper to play alongside Djimi up front.

Pete Butler should have made it 3-1 shortly after the second. He broke through and was left with just the keeper to beat. The keeper was out quickly to narrow the angle and Pete chose to shoot rather than take on the keeper. His shot just brushed past the outside of the post. (See the facebook photo)

With fresh legs on up front we were now beginning to dominate the game and Weysiders were pretty much pinned back into their own half for long periods. Much of our domination of the game was down to the sheer hard work of Mike and Ross in the midfield. Both OFC central midfielders were relentless in their quest to win the ball and both used the ball well when in possession, this in turn seemed to wear down the bare 11 opposition.

As a result of the pressure, we created a number of good opportunities and won a succession of corners which we were very unlucky not to score from. That said, we soon increased our lead. This time a goal kick from Sam was well won by Djimi and collected by Pete Butler. Pete put in a great through ball for Harps who slotted home coolly with only the keeper to beatt. 3-1.

With the game now won we made our final changes. Andy and Jarv coming on for Gravy and Pete Hallam respectively. The fresh legs seemed to only compound the problems for GCW, who were down to only a bare 11 for the match and were beginning to look increasingly tired as the minutes ticked by. Subsequently from our perspective the pitch opened up and we all enjoyed more time and space on the ball.

As the game drew towards a conclusion there was very little pressure on the OFC back line and it was really a wave of attacks from OFC in which we might have further increased the lead but for some good goal keeping and poor finishing.

It was Pete Butler who put the icing on the cake with about 5 minutes left. Bainsy supplied the cross, having advanced from right back into an attacking position, Harps could have scored with a header but a combination of the keeper and the cross bar prevented it and Pete was in the right place at the right time for the second consecutive game to make 4-1 from about a foot out. 4-1 OFC.

We saw the game out well and it was great to see the team enjoying their football again in what has been a very difficult season.

Overall it was a good performance. The first half was a bit frustrating but the second half was an excellent performance. The man of the match decision was very tough and a number of players were in the running; Mike and Ross for their hard work in the midfield, Bainsy down the right was again superb and Pete Butler got 3 assists and a goal. But ultimately Sonny got the nod from Phil after superbly containing the GCW striker who has been such a thorn in our side over recent seasons.

Next week we play Shottermill. Shottermill are bottom of the league at present, but if we underestimate them it is more than likely we will find ourselves 2-0 down again in the first 3 minutes like we did when we played them at home earlier this season. This will also give us a good idea of what we can expect when we play them in the QF of the cup a couple of weeks later.

Please make the effort to get to training on Thursday. We now have players coming back from injuries, players whose availability is much more frequent than before Christmas and it is getting increasingly difficult to get into the team. If you can't make training, please advise of your availability.

I have added a bunch of pictures from the game to the “Mighty OFC” group on facebook and Beater will no doubt add them to the “Official Site” in the near future.

A big thanks to all those that came down to watch on Saturday, it was another 20+ crowd and it really helps the team to know we have such great support from friends, family and even our pet dogs.

Note from the Chairman - It is with great sadness that we have to announce the passing of Eric Miles. Eric was the most loyal supporter of Oatlands FC from day one and he always wanted us to do well. He donated money to the club every year to help us and we will never forget it. For those who didn't know him, be sure you will never find a more staunch supporter of Oatlands. Recently health meant he was unable to come to support the games but I know now that he will be at each game cheering us on and willing us to win - like we did on Sat - R.I.P