GU12 23-Sep-06: Oswald Rd 2-4 Hillgate Blues (HT 0-3)

This was definitely a game of two halves – in the first half Oswald Rd set off slowly, hesitant and unsure, like a little baby taking its first steps … and falling flat on its face. The defenders didn’t mark or pressurise Hillgate’s attackers, the midfield ran around like headless chickens and the attackers stood around, sleepily watching the horror unfold. There were signs of intelligent footballing life towards the end but we shall draw a veil over the first half – suffice to say that we ended the half 0-3 down (an unfortunate own goal amongst the trio). Note that the training session on Thursday had been quite different to the one the week before with lots of whingeing and whining. Players barely getting up to a slow, slow, jog during exercises – and the attitude carried over into the beginning of this game.

What a difference in the second half! The coaches didn’t need to say much – the players themselves didn’t believe how bad they’d been in the first half and they set off like a pack of wolves on the hunt. Hillgate’s attacks were repulsed by our defence, and their defence was sorely tested by the Ozzie’s revitalised midfield and attack. Attack after attack was flung forward but Hillgate’s goalie and defenders managed to hang on and only a vicious corner from Tara got past them for a goal. Still we kept up the pressure and they got a breakaway goal, but our heads didn’t go down and we caused such confusion in their area that one of them caught the ball and we were awarded a penalty for the handball. Tara whacked the ball into the net without a second thought. Though we still pressed hard, their defence managed to hold on. We won the half 2-1 but lost the game 2-4. Next time we’ll give them a much better game!

Kamal

Team: SophieA, Tara, Ruqayyah, Sukdev, SophieP, Katie, Rebecca
Goals: 2^nd half – Tara x2
Opposition’s Player of the Match: Sukdev
Managers’ Player of the Match: ??