Oxford University Press v FTFC Vets – Vets Cup
The veterans travelled to Abingdon Town FC for their final Group D Vets Cup fixture, having already qualified for the quarter-finals but looking to extend their current winning streak. OUP was this week’s opponents, from the Premier Division and who needed at least a draw to progress themselves.
The match stated in a thin covering of mist, the pitch was wet and the grass was long. The home side also only had nine players at kick off and their tactics were very clear from the start as they played the ball across the back line and time wasted whenever possible. Town were slow to engage with the opposition and it was difficult to see from the side-lines if one side had player advantages. As the game ticked by, the Town bench was getting frustrated with the lack of urgency or quality and the home side managed to gain a further two players to make the numbers equal. OUP looked to catch Town on the break, whilst we are not finding feet with simple passes etc.
On 25 minutes, the Town management decided it was time to make changes and all five substitutes came on, no reflection on the lads removed but it was hoped those who had watched the opening minutes of the game, would want to spark some life into proceedings. Lee Ruddle in the Town goal had to pull off a couple of great saves, whilst with the half coming to a close, Paul Hulme missed two clear one on one opportunities, when he should have scored.
At halftime, the management made it clear the standards so far were not up to the level the squad had set themselves and with the mist turning to fog, visibility was getting worse and Town had to start finding each other with the ball but most importantly, communicate to one another. Town started much brighter and were finally managing to close down the home side and start to create some clear chances. Hulme again broke through from the midfield, but his hesitancy saw the home saw regroup and his shot go wide of the target.
On 63 minutes, the breakthrough was made as a cross from the right-hand side (not sure who from as the bench couldn’t see through the fog!) found Mike Marsh 12 yards out, he steadied himself and confidently stroked the ball home past the home custodian. This sparked the lads, on and off the pitch into life and the team spirit rose to another level and other half chances were created, however, OUP were looking dangerous on the counter and Town’s backline had lost its shape.
Ruddle was called into action on a couple of occasions and made important blocks to keep his clean sheet intact. The home side applied pressure into the final minutes but again goal-saving tackles and bodies on the line prevented them from opening their account on the night. As the final whistle was blown, you could sense the relief and the winning run was stretched to 6 wins in both league and cup.
Town manager commented afterwards “It’s a good sign when a side plays poorly, but still gains a win, clean sheet and passage to the next round of the cup, perhaps its our season”…..
Final Score: Oxford University Press 0 v 1 FTFC Vets – Vets Cup
MOTM: Lee Ruddle (Made some excellent saves and was always a voice, when others were very quiet)
DOTD: Paul Hulme (Failure to find the net, not once, twice but three times!)
Squad: Lee Ruddle, Steven Pugh, Mark Podbery, Gavin Stevens, Gary Sutton©, Glenn Townsend, Patrick Graham, Mike Marsh, Troy Redman, Craig Gaynor, Aidan Streete, Paul Smith, Dave Legg, Paul Hulme, Nick Wojcik, Matt Grantham.
