Away we go, 3 points and 2nd place the winnings

The slip week brought a rearranged game from December against Witney, the team sitting 2nd in the league and looking to continue their home performance against a travelling South Berks team. South Berks in 3rd looking to come away from the game with 3 points and take 2nd place.

The team knew this game would be tough, the skipper Mike, returns to the team and sought to bounce back from the loss last week. The team talk was clear and simple: discipline, keep the ball and work for each other. Note: we won the toss - heads never fails...that's the saying right?

Onto the game. Ball game back and straight away South Berks was under pressure for a high line from Witney who were out of the gate very fast and squeezing the back line. The high line opened up the aerial option to get the ball out of the back, more on this later, and up line the as the team advanced higher into the Witney half. A quick transfer from right to left through Grant and Mike opened allowed Des to get the ball. Des drove into the D, onto his reverse...everyone looks to the corner flag but no, BOTTOM LEFT! Des keeps the ball flat and opens the scoring. South Berks up 1-0.

Witney very much annoyed to let this in and piled on the pressure once more. Attacking hard and fast with their speedy forwards only to be matched with the pace of the back 4 (Ollie, Ben, Bailey and Mike). A pass into the D unfortunately rolled onto a back stick and Witney had their first short corner. First strike saved by Thomas in goal fell back to Witney who moved it through the D 2nd strike saved falling the attacker on the post who tapped it home, Mike unlucky not to make the goal line save - no controversy this week as they ball definitely went in. 1-1 the score.

Final notes on the first half were:

• Alex going for DoD himself received a green card, this time Dad was not to blame for the stick tackles performed.
• Part way through the half Bailey took a ball to the hand and was forced off, luckily nothing broken, hopefully a speedy recovery.
• South Berks playing very well out of the back, some limited movement in the midfield forced the aerial from the back. Mike lines up, ball goes up...and left...where is going? Over the fence - early DoD shout? Would the team remember...#Spoiler...Yes...yes they would.

Half time team talk was a rallying call from the skipper for us to win the game, marking will be key we've got the subs so lets use them, Witney will come out fast again so let's show them how fit we are and up the intensity.

2nd half started - Witney started aggressively but nothing troubled South Berks. Midfield doing some amazing work. Oliver (returning to the 3s for the first time this season) came into his own turning, twisting and running circles around the Witney midfield. Alex aiming to not be outdone and continue his impressive midfield performance was equally impressive. The youth of the team paired with the experience of Grant and Richie who despite needing additional direction from the bellowing voice behind them worked hard in the middle sometimes trying to over complicating it. Notably Grant looking up to an unmarked Mike and Bear at centre back but dribbled into trouble against 3 Witney players but confidently won the free hit.

Now for the goals - South Berks saw their opportunity as the Witney defence began to slow the speedy of Aaron, Des and Mikey Jarvis (making his 3s debut) caused chaos up front. A nicely worked move saw the shot on target fall for a long corner, wait no, Oliver well positioned on the baseline taps it home from the tightest of angles! 2-1 South Berks. Shortly after Des tapped the ball home for his second of the day with South Berks 3-1 up with 15 mins to go.

The last 15 mins was a bit chaotic with green cards all over. Oliver for a stick tackle/push and Richie (welcoming the sit down) for deliberately playing the ball instead of retreating 5m made the task much harder however the half court press worked wonders. Witney then received their own green card as heads noticeably dropped.

Final passages of play saw Mikey Jarvis go 1 v 1 with the Witney GK only to perform the slowest jump over the team has ever seen, then fall over the keeper and try to claim a stroke instead of getting the ball unfortunately not enough to take the DoD votes...somehow?

Final score: 3-1
Scorers: Des x2, Oliver F

MoM: Oliver - excellent work rate and goal from the tightest of angles.
DoD: Mike - for an aerial over the fence.

Notes: Very impressed with the team, phenomenal performance against a very tough opposition. Closing remarks from the game was that the 2nd half performance was close to perfection, worked hard, marked well and ultimately came away with the result we deserved. Very impressed captain looking forward to the next challenge.