Results
Oakhill United 2 SCR 2 (Geoff Ellis Shield Round 2)
Oakhill win 4-2 on penalties
The magic of the cup came to Oakhill's temporary 'home' ground on Saturday, as a bruising stalemate was finally decided by the lottery of penalties.
With Brett looking a long-term injury victim, Logan suffering a thumb injury(being under Emma's) and Elzie failing a late fitness test, the squad was reduced to the bare bones. The team lined up with Andy in goal, Beigeinho at right back, Toss on the left and Mitch and Hughes in the centre. With the Holt twins in centre mid, Mikey D and Matty Harris (risking a club fine by arriving close to kickoff) completed the engine room roster. Up front Nathan was partnered by Neil.
Oakhill kicked off and the ball was transferred back to Lee Hughes, who decided to test the awareness of the Beige One early doors by rolling a pass across the back four inviting the SCR forwards to run on goal. A typically brave challenge from the right back was met with a two-footed lunge from the opposition player. Beige was left crumpled in a heap, in a moment steeped in irony, but bravely soldiered on. Within minutes he was called into action once more, clearing off the line as a corner caused havoc in the Oakhill backline.
Having lost the toss, the Oak played out the first half uphill on a heavy pitch and it was to everyone's credit that we managed to make it to half-time level at 0-0. Andy played a key part by saving brilliantly in a one-on-one following a swift SCR counterattack. The teamtalk was full of encouragement and appreciation for the graft that we had showed.
The second half began and the precious clean sheet immediately went begging, as a sloppy free kick conceded 25 yards out was hit into the bottom corner, with Andy possibly at fault despite the close attentions of an SCR striker in an offside position. 0-1.
As is becoming the norm for the Oak nowadays, we rallied and started to launch a series of attacks of our own. The physicality of the game was evidenced when Adam 'Elzie's mate' Logan came on for Nath who had put in bags of running, and promptly departed with an injury collected in his first tackle. Little Dom came on to make up the fourth 'brother' in a team of honkies (and one Beige). The back four were soaking up pressure and with the help of the midfield nullifying the aerial threat from SCR at set pieces. There was also some class in amongst the grit, culminating in a superb right footed finish from Hairboy at the far post. 1-1.
SCR were playing downhill in a cup tie and were hell-bent on going through, it seemed. But Oakhill had a foothold and when Joel flicked on from the edge of the box, there was Dom Harris to poke home a calm poachers goal with 5 minutes left. 2-1.
Surely that would be that. Just the simple matter of closing the game out on tired legs and marching on to the next round? That's not the Oakhill way, as Kev proved by leaving his post to jump under a corner which went straight in off the upright. In the 92nd minute. Knickers. 2-2.
Extra time was notable only for the incredible effort shown by every player in the side. Tackles were made, errors were eliminated and runs were amazingly still happening. But the game always had the look of pens and so it transpired, in the gathering gloom. Dave Holt stepped up to stick away the first, then both Mikey D and M.Harris scored either side of a superb one handed save from Andy Red. When the keeper miraculously saved with an outstretched foot the pressure was on Neil Carnt to redeem himself after the 'Trinity fiasco'. He duly despatched a measured pass into the net to spark mass celebrations amongst his exhausted teammates. 4-2.
Oakhill go marching into the quarter-finals to play either FC Maurice or Trinity away. Easy. The momentum of the previous league win was maintained and the team is taking on a settled and balanced look, with the spine of the team seeming to have bedded in, albeit halfway through the season. With players set to return, the focus swings back onto the league campaign as Zurich visit the San Duppas on 2nd Feb. The boys will no doubt be looking to continue their progress in front of yet another superb turnout of support.
In a disgusting display of nepotism, Joel won man-of-the-match for a sterling display of brute strength and minimal skill. Andy had a stormer, even before the penalties and the midfield were solid. The race for Mike Mitchell's wine was a close run thing, but at the end of a family-themed day, it seemed fitting it went to his son.....
Man of the match: Joel 'Daddy's Boy' Mitchell
Scorers: M.Harris, D.Harris
Team: Redmond, Francis, Beigeinho, Hughes (c), Mitchell, J.Holt, D.Holt, Doran, M.Harris, Carnt,White(D.Harris 75)
Booked: J.Holt - unsportsmanlike conduct.
