12/09/2026
Oakley United Football Club
As you can see from the graphics The Oak were away to Headington Amateurs FC today and came home with all 3 points.
Thank you HA for the game, being a clash of the current top 2 in the league.
We wish you all the best for the rest of the season.@
It was hard fought as it should be and could quite easily have gone the other way.
HA had a few opportunities but left their shooting boots at home.
But please don't read into those comments that The Oak were lucky.
They most certainly not !
Luke Saunders, our asst coach, was in charge today with Josh taking a well deserved holiday, and he was presented with a bare bones squad due to illness, injuries and just unavailable.
He, after chatting to the lads decided with who was available the plan would be a low block, have 2 defensive midfielders and play two wide players with responsibility to be attackers and then getting back behind the ball when out of possession.
We also gave 18 yr old Zac Brown great responsibility in midfield to link the front and the back.
Yes it would not be the normal Oak way but sometimes you have to adapt to the personel you have.
Stats may show one thing but never always show the real picture.
Yes HA flashed a few balls across The Oak box which certainly made my heart skip a beat but somehow I always felt the lads would hold out.
The devised plan started to work straight away as time and time again, Mickey in goal, Harry, Jarek, Matthew Bosh and Matty Knight snuffed out the HA attacks.
HA are a good side and with be there in the shake up in May and The Oak's defensive performance must be measured against that.
Terrier work in midfield by Max Sargent and Ryan Simms along side Zac put their HA opposite numbers under pressure all afternoon.
Up top we had Tom Beckett and 16 yr old Ollie Arnold on the flanks with Nathan Simms up the middle with licence to roam and get involved.
What I like about this leval of football is both teams usual 1st thought is attack.
HA started well as did The Oak but it was them who opened the scoring.
On 20 mins a freeick was awarded to Oakley on the angle 20 yds out.
Nathan' s wand of a left foot needed we felt and he never disappointed firing the ball over the wall into the postage stamp.
The game had the same pattern after that, HA attacking and The Oak repulsing them and trying to build their own attacks always aware of the plan in place.
However, on 45 mins HA were level, a forward stooping to flick the ball past the advancing Mickey in goal.
Very disappointing but it was what it was and it meant The Oak would need to find another goal to take the 3 points.
There is no denying HA had a few opportunities in the 2nd half but heroic defensive work and all round team effort from Oakley was enough to keep them out and on 68 mins the decisive moment came when Nathan Simms was put through the middle getting to a bouncing ball first before the keeper and lifting it over his head.
Tom Beckett who like others who ran his heart out all afternoon almost did the same before the end latching on to another ball but sadly it went wide.
Loads of counter attacks by both teams and fine keeper saves esp our great keeper Mickey but HA could not blow The Oak house down and the points were on their way back to Oxford Road.
I have always praised our squad but no more than today.
Our new signings are now coming up with the goods covering for 6 plus regulars missing today.
This was their chance to show they were worthy and they did that alright.
So, a good start so far but the prizes are not handed out yet and similar resistance, grit and hard work will be need before May.
Many thanks to Gareth Pierce, our Goalie Coach, for coming today and bringing 2 player and himself from Swindon and serving as a sub if needed.
Many thanks to our large group of travelling fans, we really do appreciate your support.
So, onto next Sat home to Bletchington ko 2pm.
We need to follow up today's result so come up and support the lads.
Thanks
Tony Walker
