| 10th
March 2007 |
| Richmond
1 v 1 Oxted |
Oxted
were away to a Richmond side who lay in a relegation
position. Knowing that they would be fighting
for points to stay up, the visitors knew it wouldn’t
be an easy game and it took Oxted a while to settle
on the water-based pitch and against a suspiciously
strengthened opposition.
Despite
having the upper hand for vast spells of the game
and winning a number of short corners, Oxted were
unable to convert this dominance into goals. The
midfield of Lorna Mackay, Kat Scheepers and Emarcia
Marcus worked tirelessly to move the ball up the
pitch but the visiting attack were unable to sneak
a shot through. Any Richmond forays forward were
broken down by the solid defence of Suzanne Davis
and Amanda Lamy.
A
goal-less first half was disappointing for the
committed Oxted team, and when they found themselves
1-0 down mid-way through the second half, the
frontline knew that they had to step up the pressure
on the Richmond defence.
10
minutes from time, some clever midfield play and
a quick thinking pass from Marcus at the edge
of the D to Amelia Lewis who drove the ball through
the Richmond defence and calmly slotted it home.
Although
they kept up the high intensity which resulted
in their goal, the remaining attacks of the game
from Oxted’s Lewis, Alex Chitty and Gaby
Lozano just could not deliver. This was a frustrating
match for the Oxted team, who still lie 2nd in
the table, and with just 3 matches remaining they
are hoping that their form from the first half
of the season returns.
Team:
R Ward (c), A Ross, S Davis, A Smith, A Lamy,
E Johnson, L Mackay, A Chitty, G Lozano, A Lewis,
K Scheepers, E Marcus, F Dance |
| |
| 3rd
March 2007 |
| Oxted
1 v 0 Surbiton |
|
Following their draw against
Epsom last week it was a nervous but determined
Oxted side who stepped out onto the home pitch
on Saturday.
The
game started well for the home team with good
possession and some lovely linking play between
Faye Dance, Emarcia Marcus and Amelia Lewis down
the right hand side of the pitch. Oxted peppered
the goal but frustratingly were unable to score
from open play.
Great
midfield play and forward running resulted in
a barrage of short corners, however, Oxted failed
to capitalize on any of them and the half time
score of 0-0 was not a fair reflection of play.
A
stern half time talk from coach Adam Wilson spurred
the team take control of the game and they returned
to the pitch looking far hungrier than they had
in the first half. Their renewed determination
paid off as five minutes into the second half
Lewis picked up a ball in the D, took on several
players and fired the ball home.
The
visitors responded resolutely but player of the
match Suzanne Davis held the defense together
well as they worked hard to keep the ball out
of the D. The only chink in their armour appeared
towards the end of the second half when a long
ball from the visitors left the defense exposed
with goalie Becks Ward facing a 2 on 1 situation.
Ward remained calm under pressure and made a fine
save.
Oxted
faced a tense last five minutes as Surbiton were
awarded several short corners. The visitors were
unable to equalize and Oxted were strong enough
to retain their lead and a clean sheet.
Team:
R Ward (c), A Ross, S Davis, F Dance, A Smith,
A Lamy, E Marcus, S Snashfold, E Johnson, G Lozano,
A Lewis, K.Scheepers, A Chitty
Player
of the Match: Suzanne Davis |
| |
| 24th
February 2007 |
| Epsom
2 v 2 Oxted |
Oxted
found themselves in a feisty battle with third placed
Epsom and with the pressure on at the top of the
table, Oxted knew they needed the 3 points to stay
in contention.
From
early in the game Oxted dominated the play, moving
it around nicely from the back through the ¾
press of the Epsom team. With a run of good possession
between the midfield of Sarah Snashfold, Lorna Mackay
and Ellen Johnson, Oxted were able to pass the ball
to the stick of Gaby Lozano whose slick skills made
it look effortless as she rounded the Epsom defense
to slot the ball home.
This
was the start Oxted needed but despite their advantage
in pace and fitness lost their lead as an Epsom
short corner strike found itself hitting the back
board for an equaliser. A spell of promising attacks
looked like Oxted’s second goal was imminent
but despite a succession of penalty corners, Oxted
were unlucky not to capitalize on them.
Even
with Oxted keeping up the pressure in the second
half they were unable to deal with an Epsom fast-break
which put the home team ahead for the first time
in the match. The defense stepped up a notch preventing
any further attacks reaching the Oxted D with some
fine play from player of the match Faye Dance, recently
back from injury to continue her league campaign.
Knowing
they should not be in a loosing position some neat
connecting play between the forwards finally made
amends as another Lozano special put Oxted back
on the score sheet. It was too late, however, for
Oxted to reconcile victory and they came away with
a disappointing draw.
Team:
R Ward (c), A Ross, S Davis, A Smith, A Lamy, E
Johnson, S Snashfold, L Mackay, A Chitty, G Lozano,
A Lewis, K Scheepers, E Marcus, F Dance
Player
of the Match: Faye Dance
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