Another scorching Saturday in Surrey witnessed another dashing display from the OC III’s against a disjointed yet determined Lancing side. The reigning champions remained composed and clinical despite an unfortunate incident in the first half that could have easily derailed a team with lesser pedigree. The 3’s ran out 4-1 winners on the day to maintain their undefeated start to the campaign.
With the 3’s fielding one of their youngest sides to date, with just an average age of 23.5, it was imperative they got off to flying start against an experienced and dogged Lancing eleven. Indeed the 3’s did manage to stamp their authority on the game in the opening quarter, showing excellent ball retention from the off on what proved to be a very challenging surface. With pace to burn on the flanks, a resilient central dynamic in the midfield and a ball-playing back four, the home side certainly played to their strengths in keeping the ball on the deck and playing it out from the back with composure and accuracy.
By midway through the first half, the home side had been peppering Lancing down the flanks through the channels and it seemed only a matter of time before they capitalized on their dominance. Indeed the opening goal was just around the corner. Despite not paying his subs, Ben Ryder-Smith certainly proved his worth on the field through initiating a fine attack down the right flank, which ended with the right back slotting home into the side netting from an acute angle. 1-0.
The opening goal proved to be the catalyst for further penetration into the Lancing half. Determined to lead by example, captain Richie Rudden got what he deserved 10 minutes before the break. With the ball trapped under his feet on the left corner of the penalty box, Rudden somehow managed to dig the ball out and float it over the Lancing keeper, who could only watch whilst the ball nestled into the top-right corner. Sumptuous. 2-0.
With only minutes to go until the break, however, a stroke of luck came by the already waning Lancing side. The away sides burly number nine found the ball at his feet midway into the 3’s half on the right-hand sideline. Upon rolling the ball two feet out of play, players from both sides seemed to completely halt in anticipation of an inevitable 3’s throw. Nevertheless, this was not forthcoming, leading to the Lancing strike-force walking the ball forward until they managed to curl the ball home from the edge of the box with minimal resistance. Up until then, John Jenkins had looked imperious in goal, but even he was caught unaware that play had continued. Disbelief from all 22 players followed by animated protests from the home side was not enough to annul the goal. The score-line going into the break therefore read 2-1. Above all else, the controversial incident signified the credibility of a long-standing sporting cliché. Play to the whistle.
Having entered the referee’s book in the first half, Nick Wilkinson was once again aggrieved by the referee’s decision to let calls of ‘LEAVE IT’ by the Lancing frontline go unpunished at the beginning of the second half. Despite the referee’s negligence, the 3’s continued their first half dominance, with assertive play down the channels from the likes of Perera, Buzz and Rob Carnegie-Brown. It was the captain though once again who had dribbled his way into the opposition box, before being unceremoniously hacked down by the Lancing centre-half. Mike Manches coolly slotted home the penalty, sending the keeper the wrong way to take the game to 3-1.
With Lancing offering little going forward due to the 3’s resolute back four, the last laugh was once again secured by the 3’s lightning attack. With Lancing clearly ebbing in terms of fitness levels, the 3’s capitalized with a quick counter-attack. The ball found its way through to Buzz who had the option of Manches to his right, but he didn’t need him as he slotted home from 10 yards. At 4-1, the game was now wrapped up and the 3’s saw out the remainder of the game as they managed to contain the ball thanks to some admirable work-rate from all areas of the field.
Although there is still a long way to go this season, the 3’s look like they’re going to be an extremely tough nut to crack. Three points well deserved.
By Ted Greensmith
With the 3’s fielding one of their youngest sides to date, with just an average age of 23.5, it was imperative they got off to flying start against an experienced and dogged Lancing eleven. Indeed the 3’s did manage to stamp their authority on the game in the opening quarter, showing excellent ball retention from the off on what proved to be a very challenging surface. With pace to burn on the flanks, a resilient central dynamic in the midfield and a ball-playing back four, the home side certainly played to their strengths in keeping the ball on the deck and playing it out from the back with composure and accuracy.
By midway through the first half, the home side had been peppering Lancing down the flanks through the channels and it seemed only a matter of time before they capitalized on their dominance. Indeed the opening goal was just around the corner. Despite not paying his subs, Ben Ryder-Smith certainly proved his worth on the field through initiating a fine attack down the right flank, which ended with the right back slotting home into the side netting from an acute angle. 1-0.
The opening goal proved to be the catalyst for further penetration into the Lancing half. Determined to lead by example, captain Richie Rudden got what he deserved 10 minutes before the break. With the ball trapped under his feet on the left corner of the penalty box, Rudden somehow managed to dig the ball out and float it over the Lancing keeper, who could only watch whilst the ball nestled into the top-right corner. Sumptuous. 2-0.
With only minutes to go until the break, however, a stroke of luck came by the already waning Lancing side. The away sides burly number nine found the ball at his feet midway into the 3’s half on the right-hand sideline. Upon rolling the ball two feet out of play, players from both sides seemed to completely halt in anticipation of an inevitable 3’s throw. Nevertheless, this was not forthcoming, leading to the Lancing strike-force walking the ball forward until they managed to curl the ball home from the edge of the box with minimal resistance. Up until then, John Jenkins had looked imperious in goal, but even he was caught unaware that play had continued. Disbelief from all 22 players followed by animated protests from the home side was not enough to annul the goal. The score-line going into the break therefore read 2-1. Above all else, the controversial incident signified the credibility of a long-standing sporting cliché. Play to the whistle.
Having entered the referee’s book in the first half, Nick Wilkinson was once again aggrieved by the referee’s decision to let calls of ‘LEAVE IT’ by the Lancing frontline go unpunished at the beginning of the second half. Despite the referee’s negligence, the 3’s continued their first half dominance, with assertive play down the channels from the likes of Perera, Buzz and Rob Carnegie-Brown. It was the captain though once again who had dribbled his way into the opposition box, before being unceremoniously hacked down by the Lancing centre-half. Mike Manches coolly slotted home the penalty, sending the keeper the wrong way to take the game to 3-1.
With Lancing offering little going forward due to the 3’s resolute back four, the last laugh was once again secured by the 3’s lightning attack. With Lancing clearly ebbing in terms of fitness levels, the 3’s capitalized with a quick counter-attack. The ball found its way through to Buzz who had the option of Manches to his right, but he didn’t need him as he slotted home from 10 yards. At 4-1, the game was now wrapped up and the 3’s saw out the remainder of the game as they managed to contain the ball thanks to some admirable work-rate from all areas of the field.
Although there is still a long way to go this season, the 3’s look like they’re going to be an extremely tough nut to crack. Three points well deserved.
By Ted Greensmith
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