Haberdashers v OC 3rd XI

Result 1-1



Having studied the footage from Saturday's game in great depth, I think we can consider ourselves quite unlucky to have not come away with all 3 points. Overall we had more possession, looked more dangerous and created more chances. Add to that at least one legitimate goal that was wrongly ruled offside and two other questionable disallowed goals and you can see where I'm coming from. It was always going to be difficult for us to get the ball down and play the football we like to play on what was a slow, bobbly pitch but we started the game really well all things considered. And we were justly rewarded early on with a beautifully worked move down the left, starting with a darting run from Wilkinson and finishing in a selfless through ball from Rich to set up Frenchy for a blistering volley that left the keeper with no chance. We then peppered them with long throws and several set pieces and came close on a number of occasions. Kibbs nonchalantly smashed in what looked to be our second with great style, only for 50/50 to rule that the ball was still moving when Rich hit the free kick. Rich himself then came close with only the post to deny him and it's fair to say that the first 20 minutes were all ours. Then, against the run of play, after Dolman failed to clear the lines, their striker pounced, twisting and turning his way through the defense - a fantastic block from George very unfortunately deflected the ball past Tom in goal and suddenly it was 1-1 out of nowhere. We started the second half brightly and should have been 2-1 up when George fired in a strong header at the back post, only to be wrongly ruled offside moments later by "you know who". A combination of frustration and a strong head wind meant that the middle 20 minutes of the second half was all Haberdashers and we did mighty well not to concede. We finished strongly and Al Fenton almost snatched it at the death with a quick turn and snap shot only to be denied by either a great save or a defenders leg - either way, very unlucky as he couldn't have hit it better.