21 SEPTEMBER 2013 OE 1’s 1- 3 Lancing 1’s Following a very well drilled and ruthlessly organised pre-season of friendlies and fitness, the OE 1s rolled onto Dutchman’s in confident fashion. A very strong team with a bias towards youth and players looking to get the ball on the floor and play, we expected a strong performance. Following a rigorous warm-up including Sam Baring’s copyrighted and pre-prep inspired ‘hokey-cokey’ drill, the game kicked off on a wonderful playing surface. Lancing are a strong side: they have hardly changed their team for the past 4 years with an emphasis on absorbing pressure and then striking venomously on the counter-attack. Pleasingly, the OEs started on right on top. Good interchange in midfield with the three central midfielders: Coleridge Cole, Baring and Desai, bringing in the dangerous wider players, Tinsley and Hill caused havoc amongst Lancing’s rear-guard. Shaw Stewart harried and hassled their pot-bellied centre backs and a couple of smart snap shots were well saved by their athletic keeper. On the half hour mark, Desai was foiled by their goalie whilst Tinsley and Shaw Stewart had consecutive efforts cleared off the line following a mad scramble. Lancing were creaking under the intense OE pressure. Against the run of play, good work down Lancing’s right flank brought in a dangerous cross that their number 9 bundled in. This was Lancing’s first effort but their clinical finishing was a continuing theme throughout the afternoon. The OEs equalised just after half time: a Tinsley free kick was floated to the near post and birthday boy Ben flicked on his header onto his back and then into the top corner. At 1-1, the OEs continued to push forward but this over exuberance played into Lancing’s hands as their triumvirate of AMC and two centre forwards found space on the break. Following some indecision at the back and some sharp passes amongst their forwards, a ball was squared across the 6 yard box which was flicked in. With 20 mins to go, the game became open and stretched and as the OEs searched desperately for an equaliser, we were hit on the break once more with a floated cross confidently headed in at the back post. Whilst there was no hiding the general disappointment with the scoreline, this was, at times, a pretty impressive performance from the OEs. The OEs were on top for much of the match and some of the passing and passages of play were very encouraging. With a week off until the next league game, it’s important to give a strong response the next time we meet. And with the talent and dedication shown over the past few weeks, there’s no reason why this shouldn’t be the case.
Posted on: Tue, 24 Sep 2013 09:54:02 +0000
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