After a dismal performance against AFC Kempston last week, The Oak knew that they had to start picking up points very soon to avoid relegation.

Michael Cox and Steve Armstrong picked up knocks in last weeks game and with Aidan Diffy walking out on the club, Chris Birdsall was forced into changing the formation and making 3 changes to the starting XI. Fortunately, long term absentee Danny Murphy and Claudio Jordan were both available and were put straight into the starting XI with Lloyd Turner also being given his chance up front in place of the injured Armstrong.

The Royal Oak started very strong, dominating the first 20 minutes passing the ball round quickly and smoothly. 5-yard-passes were the name of the game and high-flying Westoning could not get anywhere near the ball.

The Oak created a number of chances, with Lorenzo Jordan missing 2 one-on-ones early on and then missing a guilt edged chance when Jordan was sent away on the right hand side. Jordan beat his man, but had an impossible angle to shoot at. Both Liam Boland and Lloyd Turner were screaming for Jordan to square it for an easy tap in, but Jordan still shot at goal and put it into the side netting.

The Oak were still hitting tackle after tackle, passing short and creating chances until all 11 players seemed to hit a physical barrier on 25 minutes. The Oak sat back to soak up some pressure and the game suddenly became open. Westoning knocked the ball out to the left wing, the left winger swung the ball in and the on-rushing striker headed it into the Oaks net. Westoning were 1-0 up with there first chance of the game.

The senior players rallied and told the team not to let there heads, or effort drop. The Oak took the kick-off and straight away were playing football again. The ball was dinked over the top for Lloyd Turner to rush onto. Turner out-sprinted his marker before running into the Westoning box and blasting the ball past the goalkeeper, beating him at his near post. The score was back to 1-1 within 2 minutes of Westoning taking the lead.

The Oak then kept it tight up until half time and went into the break with a deserved 1-1 scoreline.

The second half started in the same manner as the first, with the Oak having a lot of possession. Westoning had now resorted to the long ball, but our defence was on there toes all game and Murphy, Boland and Minney were looking unbeatable. A Special mention has to go to the referee as, all within 10 minutes of each other, he managed to miss 3 blatant hand balls from the Westoning defence inside there box. With these decisions not going the Oaks way, you started to wonder if this was going to be Westonings day.

The Oak were getting more tired and the passes were becoming longer and longer. With about 10 minutes to go, Liam Boland received the ball wide left just inside his own half. Cooney made a 20 yard run into the Westoning box and Boland managed to pick him out with the pass. Cooney was 8 yards out with only the goalkeeper to beat, Cooney bought it down in one touch but could only find the goalkeepers chest with his shot. The game was looking more and more likely to finish 1-1. Westoning now had a lot of possession, but could only seem to get as far as the Oaks 18 yard box, never really troubling Martin White in the Oaks Goal. Birdsall fealt it was time for some fresh legs and introduced himself into the game as a straight swap for O Donovan.

With 5 minutes to go, the game looked destined to finish 1-1 until a bit of luck changed the game. Liam Boland bought the ball down in his own half and ran at a Westoning Centre back. Boland wrong-footed the centre back and the ball bounced up for a volley from 10 yards inside the Westoning half. Boland hit a hopeful shot towards goal, and the ball seemed to get caught in the cross wind. This deceived the Westoning keeper and wrong footed him, allowing the ball to trickle into the net. The Oak players and supporters went mad, as they realised this could be 3 points that ensures survival.

All 11 Royal Oak players then threw everything at Westoning to ensure that they didnt get a late equaliser. The final whistle went and the oak had won there second game in a row on pitch 1. With Elstow Abbey beating AFC Kempston, This meant The Oak climbed one place and moved within 3 points of Sandy Reserves. With The Oak visiting Westoning this weekend, you can guarantee a battle.
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Team: (3-5-2) Martin White, Danny Murphy, Sean Boland, Dave Minney, Andy Palombella, Claudio Jordan, Martin O Donovan (Chris Birdsall), Liam Boland, Michael Cooney, Lorenzo Jordan, Lloyd Turner
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Man Of The Match: Lloyd Turner... Took his chance when it was given to him. Created chances, scored a great goal and listened to his team mates all game.
Winner of Fig's Vest: Martin O Donovan... In fairness, know one played badly. Martin adapted well to a new position, but did look out on his feet at times.