Failure to beat high-flying Norton on Saturday saw Oakhill slump to bottom of the Third Division on Saturday. Happy Birthday Elzie.

With Lee Hughes forced into emergency goalkeeping duties and a couple of absences, Fred's remote management system, the T.O.M., laid the team out with Philpott back from Egypt clearly in denial about the amount he had eaten and drunk, Toss at left back, the birthday boy partnered by back-from-injury Joel and Johnny Holt screening in front of the back four. Neil Carnt, Mikey D and Harris linked up with the Dave Holt/Nathan frontmen.

With a severe bollocking still ringing in their ears, Oakhill started in superb fashion, rewarded as early as the 10th minute. Neat one touch passing drew a foul to the left hand side of the box, from which Mikey swung in a superb delivery. Big Dave gambled and threw himself at the ball, causing the sort of panic and chaos usually the sole preserve of our own penalty area. Harris was waiting for the scraps and drilled home a low volley. 1-0.

Oak were ahead in every sense with everyone passing the ball well and not diving in. Even corners were being cleared reasonably well. Unfortunately, the stalemate was broken by an own goal from Joel, as an inswinging corner caused a mix-up with Kev on the post and the ball slipped in off the top of his head in his valiant effort to clear. 1-1.

Coming just before half time and after Hughesy had pulled off a couple of decent stops was particularly galling. The next goal conceded was just like the old days again though, as the Norton striker strolled through four non-challenges to slot home. 1-2. Half time.

Having played well but fallen short, Oakhill came out re-invigorated in the second half and started with a bright pace again. Unfortunately, the visitors were also buoyed by their flurry before the break and stretched their lead with a superb back post header from virtually level with the byline, with Harris and Brett ball-watching and Hughesy helpless. 1-3.

Philpott then succumbed to injury, with the Beige One stepping into the breach, and the team suddenly started to believe, there was structure, desire and intensity. And more mistakes. Coincidence? I think not. Nonetheless, Norton genuinely found it tough to break us down as we moved to 3-4-3 in a bid to get on terms. Chances went begging for Dave, Mikey and Harris, as the hard work went unrewarded.

All-in-all, a huge improvement performance-wise and it is about time this was translated into three much-needed points. Hopefully a full squad to select from in the coming weeks and the visit of fellow relegation-strugglers will bring rewards.

Special mention to Neil, who's digs at goal deserved better luck, Harris and Mikey who ran hard for the full 90, and Elzie for winning tons in the air in the second half of the second half. Obviously maturing........

Man-of-the-match goes to Lee 'The Cat' Hughes, although perhaps only he vould explain his crazy edge of the box heading and some rather dubious distribution in the first half.

Team: Hughes, Philpott (Beigeinho 50), Francis, Mitchell, Hewlett, M.Harris, Doran, Carnt, J.Holt, D.Holt, White (Hopkins 70).

Goals:Harris

Bookings: None.

Man of the Match:  Lee 'The Cat' Hughes