Marston Saints Blues

Posted by Rob Martin on February 24, 2008, 2:33 pm, in reply to "u11s colts"

Oxford City Colts 0 – Marston Saints Blues 2

The last time these two sides met on the 16th of December it was Oxford who dominated play for much of the game but after a strong comeback by Marston that game ended in a thrilling 4-4 draw. With Oxford playing at home today the pressure was on them to secure 3 points from a team just above them in the league.

Marston kicked off and quickly pushed into all out attack. Playing into the wind Oxford were finding it difficult to clear their lines with every clearance appearing to drop at the feet of a Marston player. Oxford were being forced to soak up the early pressure and play deep in their own half. On 6 minutes Marston could have taken the lead but the shot came off the post to be caught by Reese in the Oxford goal. The long kick out gave Oxford an opportunity to counter attach but Wayne Beechers shot was into the side netting. The early pressure was all Marston with several corners in quick succession and Oxford being forced to clear the ball anyway they could. The pressure finally paid off for Marston on 9 minutes when a free kick was given just outside the area, the ball was curved in across the face of goal to find the head of an unmarked Marston striker, from almost point blank range he was never going to miss. It was 1-0 to Marston.

Oxford continued to struggle in the first half with attack after attack breaking through the their defense. On 16 minutes a second free kick was awarded to Marston just outside the area and with the wind behind them the shot was struck strongly and was too high for Reese, 2-0 to Marston. It was only after this goal that Oxford started to lift their heads and try passing the ball on the ground, it nearly paid off on 21 minutes when a free kick was awarded to Oxford just outside the Marston area, the shot by Bradley looked certain for the top corner when caught by the wind the ball rebounded off the post into the waiting arms of the Marston keeper. Oxford were now starting to play and a neat one/two between Wayne and Bradley created some space for a shot but only to find the side netting. Marston quickly counter attacked and with only the goalie to beat Marston looked certain to make it 3 nil. The safe hands of Reese was to deny them when at full stretch he managed to push the ball clear for a corner. The first half pressure was all Marston and Oxford were lucky to be only 2 down at the break.

A couple of changes at half time and readjusting the formation was to see Oxford pile the pressure on Marston from the kick off. Marston held secure and counter attacked down the left where their speed was a clear advantage but they were denied again by some excellent goal keeping from Reese. Oxford continued to try and pin Marston back in their own half intercepting poorly taken goal kicks and on 8 minutes a cross from Bradley found Curtis Adams in space but the shot was just wide. Marston again counter attacked and looked certain to break through on goal but for the quick thinking of Reese who was off his line only to foul the Marston striker just outside the area. The calls for a penalty from the Marston supporters were ignored by the referee and the resulting free kick was shot over the bar.

It was now Oxford’s turn to attack and on 15 minutes Brian Muinami was almost through on the Marston goal but his shot was blocked and went out for a corner. The pressure from Oxford was now relentless but the final shots were just not hitting the target, it didn’t look like it was going to their day. With time rapidly running out Oxford were pushing deeper and deeper into the Marston half and leaving themselves open to counter attack, this could have cost them dearly if Reese had not made a couple of excellent saves.

At full time it was Oxford 0, Marston 2. The early pressure from Marston and two excellently taken set pieces was the difference between the two teams on the day. Oxford’s performance in the second half was more like the team we have seen in recent games but the final touch was just not there today. Well done to both teams in what was a hard fought game.

Team: R Horwood, A Martin, H Comley, L Williams, Mitchell, Luke, G Cherry, J Roberson, C Wood, B Rowbotham, W Beechers.

Substitutes: C Adams, B Muinami, T Walker.

Man of the Match: First half: R Horwood, Second half: J Roberson