The home team came out on top in a tight and tense encounter at St. Mary's. Two defensive errors from the visiting Blackfriars team allowed Oscott to net a goal in each half, much to disappointment of the Friars' supporters. The fluid wing-based Oscottian passing game met with the methodic safeguarding tactics of the Oxford-based friars, creating a white-knuckle confrontation that, whilst uncomfortable for fans, was a treat for the neutral.
Blackfriars' keeper Robert Verrill was kept busy but was solid between the sticks and was well supported by the Irish backline. By adopting a 1-2-3-1 formation the midfield became a battle ground, as the friars tried to stop the Oscott playmakers Pius Amoako and Henry Whisenant penetrating their half and utilising the speedy wingers Linh Ta Hanh Nguyen and Long Hoang Nguyen. After ten minutes of end to end action Oscott got their break and slipped one home.
The Friars came straight back at the home team with Crowe making numerous infiltrating runs into the opposition territory to play in the Altrincham kid, David Goodill, but bad luck and pressure from the home defence meant they failed to produce a goal. Pearson held the ball up well on the right wing and set up Welsh Wizard Bobby Gay with a fine ball that just missed the inside of the post.
Tactical changes at half time did not bring the away team's deserved goal but Oscott's wing was tempered by Daniel 'muscles' Jeffries and the midfield was bolstered by the inclusion of no-nonsense centre-half David Barrins, who showed some nice passing and dribbling as well as a steel-like challenge. An Oscott counter-attack from a corner, in the dying seconds, resulted in their second goal just before the final whistle.
Although the play was intense, the game was an example of great sportsmanship and after the boots had been taken off, both teams met up in the college bar for beer and banter. The Blackfriars' students would like to thank the Seminarians for organising such an enjoyable day and we hope that there will be more to come. They should remember however that given the chance, the Dogs will bite back.
Blackfriars' keeper Robert Verrill was kept busy but was solid between the sticks and was well supported by the Irish backline. By adopting a 1-2-3-1 formation the midfield became a battle ground, as the friars tried to stop the Oscott playmakers Pius Amoako and Henry Whisenant penetrating their half and utilising the speedy wingers Linh Ta Hanh Nguyen and Long Hoang Nguyen. After ten minutes of end to end action Oscott got their break and slipped one home.The Friars came straight back at the home team with Crowe making numerous infiltrating runs into the opposition territory to play in the Altrincham kid, David Goodill, but bad luck and pressure from the home defence meant they failed to produce a goal. Pearson held the ball up well on the right wing and set up Welsh Wizard Bobby Gay with a fine ball that just missed the inside of the post.
Tactical changes at half time did not bring the away team's deserved goal but Oscott's wing was tempered by Daniel 'muscles' Jeffries and the midfield was bolstered by the inclusion of no-nonsense centre-half David Barrins, who showed some nice passing and dribbling as well as a steel-like challenge. An Oscott counter-attack from a corner, in the dying seconds, resulted in their second goal just before the final whistle.Although the play was intense, the game was an example of great sportsmanship and after the boots had been taken off, both teams met up in the college bar for beer and banter. The Blackfriars' students would like to thank the Seminarians for organising such an enjoyable day and we hope that there will be more to come. They should remember however that given the chance, the Dogs will bite back.
UPDATE: An alternative match report can be found here
Some more photographs from a very enjoyable visit to Oscott:
Hello, all
ReplyDeleteThanks for the MOTD report.
Well done and well played both teams!
Glad to see the Ursine influence on and off the field - hmm where was his magic sponge and pots of honey then??
A truly sporting event (Premier League, please take note) and not a yellow or red card in sight.
Yes, a return fixture ought to be considered.
Question Who is the rather large Ursine chap besides Br. Ursus, OP in the photo??
and finally Bless you for making me smile this evening.
God bless all of you
Pax
VM
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Oh dear . . . my praying the Litanies obviously didn't work very well; or perhaps it did - after all, God always answers prayers; just not always in the way we expect !
ReplyDelete(And, on a different topic, looking at the Oscott chappie, I'm not altogether surprised that fr Ursus is looking a little worried. I hope they got on alright.)
Congratulations, anyway.
The Oscottian Bear does not have as good a tailor as Br. Ursus, does he? Poor chap. Someone needs to make him a proper clerical shirt.
ReplyDeleteWell done on the football. I think a re-match is in order.